Agadir – Artificial intelligence is reshaping Africa’s cybercrime landscape, making criminal networks launch faster, more sophisticated attacks that are costing billions of dollars and targeting critical sectors across the continent.
According to INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, which was released today, cybercrime has become an increasing threat to Africa’s economic stability, public trust in digital services, and the security of critical infrastructure, as criminals exploit emerging technologies alongside gaps in cybersecurity capacity and cross-border cooperation.
AI is causing more than half of cybercrime cases reported across the continent, with cybercriminals using the technology to automate phishing campaigns, generate convincing deepfakes, create synthetic identities for financial fraud, and evade traditional cybersecurity systems.
The organization’s report also noted that AI-powered hacking groups are targeting hospitals, power utilities, and educational institutions, often demanding payments after disrupting essential services.
The report comes as Africa’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly. Last year, the continent recorded more than 1.1 billion mobile subscriptions and processed over $1.1 trillion in digital transactions, while more than 570 million people relied on the internet for financial services, healthcare, education, and government services.
However, INTERPOL cautioned that cybersecurity infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and institutional capacity have failed to keep pace with this digital growth, creating significant opportunities for cybercriminals.
Financial losses and cybercrime victims rise sharply
Among the most common cybercrimes reported were online scams, identity theft, business email compromise (BEC), ransomware, and digital sextortion. INTERPOL said AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media have increasingly been used in online harassment, identity fraud, and social engineering schemes.
Business email compromise remained the most financially damaging form of cyberattack in 2025, accounting for 21% of financially motivated incidents linked to identity compromise.
The report also noted a sharp increase in the financial impact of cybercrime. Reported cybercrime-related losses rose from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025, while the number of identified victims increased from approximately 35,000 to 87,000.
INTERPOL estimates that cybercrime caused at least $5 billion in direct economic damage across Africa during 2025, despite the continent spending approximately $15.3 billion on cybersecurity.
The financial services, telecommunications, and government sectors remained the primary targets for cybercriminals.
Morocco’s rising digital risks
Morocco has also experienced cybersecurity incidents that illustrate the growing risks facing public institutions as digital services expand.
In April, the Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT) disclosed a data leak affecting approximately 100,000 users of its “MyWay” career guidance platform.
According to the agency, the leaked information, which appeared on the dark web, included names, phone numbers, national identity card details, and email addresses voluntarily provided during registration.
OFPPT said the incident was likely linked to the misuse of a compromised user account rather than a direct breach of its core information systems, stressing that training records and other critical services were not affected.
Morocco has also stepped up its efforts to combat cybercrime through stronger international cooperation.
Earlier this year, the country participated in Operation Ramz, INTERPOL’s first large-scale cybercrime operation in the Middle East and North Africa, which brought together law enforcement agencies from 13 countries to dismantle phishing networks, malware infrastructure, and online fraud schemes.
During the operation, Moroccan authorities seized computers, smartphones, and digital storage devices containing banking data and phishing software, while judicial proceedings were launched against several suspects.
