INTERPOL Identifies AI as a Key Driver of Cybercrime in Africa
INTERPOL has flagged artificial intelligence (AI) as a major factor in the rise of cybercrime across Africa. The continent's digital economy, with over 1.1 billion mobile subscriptions and $1.1 trillion in digital transactions, is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. According to INTERPOL's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, AI is automating various stages of cyberattacks, including reconnaissance, phishing, and extortion. The report highlights the lack of cybersecurity infrastructure and regulation as significant challenges. Cybercrime accounted for over 30% of recorded crime in some regions, with financial losses rising to $484 million in 2025. 
