Interpol Report Reveals AI-Powered Cybercrime Surge Across Africa, Outpacing Regional Defenses

A new report from Interpol highlights the escalating threat of cybercrime across Africa, with artificial intelligence playing a significant role in enabling sophisticated criminal activities. The report, drawing data from 36 African member countries, reveals that AI is now involved in 55% of reported cybercrimes, transforming isolated incidents into an industrialized, borderless ecosystem. This includes the use of AI to create synthetic identities from stolen personal data, capable of bypassing biometric verification systems.

The economic impact is substantial, with reported cybercrime losses more than doubling to $484 million in 2025, and aggregated estimates suggesting direct economic damage of $5 billion. The report details regional variations in threats, from mobile money fraud in East Africa to business email compromise in Central and West Africa, and a high concentration of ransomware in Southern Africa, particularly in South Africa due to its robust infrastructure.

Specific examples include a 327% surge in SIM swap fraud in Kenya, affecting mobile wallets, and a suspected ransomware attack on Uganda's national power grid. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced regional cooperation, faster intelligence sharing, and joint investigations to combat these evolving threats, as discussed by Interpol crime bureau chiefs meeting in Nairobi to coordinate a regional response.