Digital infrastructure and cybersecurity risks rise in East Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing critical challenges in its digital evolution, specifically regarding infrastructure resilience and cybersecurity. While submarine cables facilitate over 95% of the continent's international internet traffic, a significant gap remains in moving data reliably from coastal landing points to inland businesses, hospitals, and governments.

In Kenya, the rapid expansion of the digital economy—driven by mobile money, fintech, and cloud services—has increased the attack surface for cybercriminals. According to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, artificial intelligence is now enabling 55% of reported cybercrimes across Africa, allowing attacks to become faster, more scalable, and harder to detect. As digital transactions in Africa reached over $1.1 trillion in 2025, the need for robust inland connectivity and advanced AI-driven security measures has become a priority for regional stability.