The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has revealed that artificial intelligence is now a critical enabler in more than half of all cybercrimes reported across Africa, marking a dangerous new chapter in the continent's digital evolution.
According to the African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, a 40-page document based on survey data from 36 member countries, an estimated 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes are now AI-enabled. The findings paint a picture of a threat landscape that has mutated from isolated hacking incidents into an "industrialised, borderless ecosystem" that is faster, more scalable, and increasingly difficult to detect.
The financial implications are staggering. Since 2024, cybercrime-related losses across the continent have more than doubled, leaping from USD 192 million to USD 484 million. This surge is driven almost entirely by AI-facilitated scams, large-scale credential harvesting, and automated social engineering campaigns. The rapid digital transformation of Africa, which now boasts over 1.1 billion mobile subscribers, has created a fertile ground for exploitation, but legislation remains fragmented, and law enforcement agencies are alarmingly unprepared for the AI challenge.
Regional hotspots and emerging threats
The report highlights distinct regional patterns of criminal activity. East Africa has solidified its position as a hub for mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure. In Central and West Africa, highly convincing business email compromise (BEC) schemes and romance scams have become prolific, targeting both corporations and individuals. Southern Africa's ultra-high internet connectivity continues to make it a magnet for global threat actors seeking maximum disruption.
One of the most alarming trends identified is the rise of organised scam centres. A significant 72 per cent of surveyed countries reported their presence, with the highest concentration in Southern and West Africa. These are not small-time operations but large, often industrial-scale facilities linked to human trafficking, where victims are held against their will and forced to commit fraud.
Furthermore, criminals have moved beyond stealing existing credentials. The report reveals the growing use of AI to generate "synthetic identities"—digital personas that combine real personal information with fabricated details. These AI-crafted identities are sophisticated enough to bypass advanced biometric verification systems, allowing criminals to open bank accounts, secure mobile loans, and register SIM cards under false names.
Sextortion and the deepfake crisis
The weaponisation of AI is also fuelling a surge in digital sextortion and online harassment. Using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media, criminals are creating compromising images from victims' social media photos. INTERPOL partner TrendAI recorded approximately 600,000 sextortion detections in Africa in 2025. The psychological toll is immense, with underreporting remaining high due to stigma and the lack of support services.
A call for urgent action
Despite these challenges, INTERPOL's Director of Cybercrime, Neal Jetton, expressed cautious optimism, stating that "when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled" . There is visible progress: 17 African countries enacted or amended cybercrime legislation in 2025, and coordinated INTERPOL operations—including Serengeti 2.0, Contender 3.0, Sentinel, and Red Card 2.0—have resulted in over 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of devices, and the recovery of more than USD 100 million
However, the report concludes that success will not come from isolated efforts. It recommends standardised digital forensic capabilities, enhanced cross-border cooperation, and a mandatory investment in AI literacy for law enforcement. The message from INTERPOL is clear: the cyber threat is no longer a technical problem but a defining issue for Africa's economic development, public safety, and human security.
