Artificial intelligence is now linked to 55 per cent of reported cybercrime across Africa, according to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, highlighting the growing role of emerging technologies in making cyberattacks faster, more sophisticated and harder to detect.

The report, released on Monday, 3 August 2026, found that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to automate phishing campaigns, online scams, identity fraud and business email compromise, contributing to a sharp rise in financial losses across the continent.

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INTERPOL said Africa’s rapid digital expansion, which recorded more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in 2025, has created new opportunities for economic growth but has also widened the cyber threat landscape.

The 40-page assessment, based on survey responses from 36 African member countries, concluded that cybercrime has evolved from isolated criminal incidents into a highly organised and borderless ecosystem.

According to the report, cybercrime-related losses across Africa have risen from 192 million US dollars in 2024 to 484 million US dollars since then, driven largely by AI-enabled scams, credential theft and automated social engineering attacks.

Online scams remained the most frequently reported form of cybercrime in 2025, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media and artificial intelligence to reach victims.

INTERPOL also found that 72 per cent of surveyed countries reported the presence of scam centres, with the highest concentration in Southern and West Africa.

The report highlighted distinct regional trends, identifying East Africa as a hotspot for mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

Business email compromise and romance scams were found to be widespread in Central and West Africa, while Southern Africa’s high level of internet connectivity has made it an attractive target for international cybercriminal groups.

INTERPOL also warned that AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media are fuelling digital sextortion and online harassment.

Data from cybersecurity partner TrendAI recorded around 600,000 detections of digital sextortion during the reporting period.

The organisation further raised concerns over the increasing use of AI to create synthetic identities by combining genuine personal information with fabricated details.

According to the report, these identities have been used to bypass biometric security systems, open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans and register SIM cards fraudulently.

Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, said artificial intelligence was transforming every stage of cyberattacks.

“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion,” Jetton said.

“However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled.”

Despite the growing threat, the report pointed to encouraging progress in regional cooperation. It noted that 17 African countries enacted or updated cybercrime legislation in 2025, while coordinated operations led by INTERPOL, including Operations Serengeti 2.0, Contender 3.0, Sentinel and Red Card 2.0, resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices and the recovery of over 100 million US dollars.

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The report also recommended stronger digital forensic capabilities, improved information sharing between banks, telecommunications companies and law enforcement agencies, greater investment in AI training for investigators, and closer collaboration between governments and the private sector to strengthen cyber resilience across the continent.