Interpol: AI powers 55% of cybercrime across Africa

Interpol artificial intelligence cybercrime Africa financial losses

Interpol’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026 finds that artificial intelligence is now involved in 55 % of reported cybercrime cases on the continent. The use of AI enables faster, larger‑scale attacks such as AI‑generated phishing, deep‑fake extortion, synthetic identities and automated ransomware.

Financial losses from cybercrime more than doubled, rising from US$192 million in 2024 to US$484 million in 2025 – a 152 % increase – and total direct economic damage reached at least US$5 billion in 2025. Mobile subscriptions exceeded 1.1 billion in 2025, expanding the attack surface for fraudsters.

Seventy‑two percent of the 36 surveyed African countries reported the presence of scam centres, especially in West and Southern Africa. TrendAI identified roughly 600 000 cases of AI‑enabled digital sextortion. Interpol‑coordinated operations (Serengeti 2.0, Contender 3.0, Sentinel and Red Card 2.0) resulted in more than 1 500 arrests and the seizure of over US$100 million in illicit assets. Seventeen nations strengthened cyber‑crime legislation in 2025, and Senegal launched an online platform to report child‑focused digital abuse.

Entities

African nations · Artificial intelligence (AI) · Interpol · Kenya · Nigeria · Senegal · South Africa · TrendAI

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] West Africa recorded the highest business‑email compromise activity, with Cabo Verde reporting 16,997 ransomware detections and Nigeria 5,822 in 2025. www.pulse.com.gh
[● 2 SOURCES] Interpol coordinated four operations in 2025‑2026 that resulted in over 1,500 arrests and the seizure of more than $100 million in assets. the-decoder.com · www.pressafrik.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Kenya’s mobile‑money subscriptions reached 53.4 million by March 2025 and M‑Pesa processed Sh41.68 trillion in transactions. www.businessdailyafrica.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] SIM‑swap fraud incidents in Kenya increased by 327 % in 2025, with more than 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards issued. www.businessdailyafrica.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Cybercrime caused at least $5 billion in direct economic losses across Africa in 2025. www.ecofinagency.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Artificial intelligence is involved in 55 % of reported cybercrimes in Africa. www.sentv.info · afriqueitnews.com · africapresse.com · sapo.pt
[○ 1 SOURCE] The number of identified cybercrime victims rose from 35,000 in 2024 to 87,000 in 2025. www.ecofinagency.com
[DISPUTED] Financial losses from cyberattacks rose from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025, a 152 % increase. www.ecofinagency.com · the-decoder.com
[● 5 SOURCES] TrendAI detected about 600 000 cases of AI‑enabled digital sextortion in Africa. www.xibaaru.sn · ai.cnmo.com · www.theheritagetimes.com · africapresse.com · sapo.pt
[DISPUTED] Financial losses from cybercrime in Africa rose from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025. www.africanews.com · netafrique.net · www.theheritagetimes.com · www.ecofinagency.com · the-decoder.com
[● 4 SOURCES] 72 % of surveyed African countries reported the presence of scam centres operating within their borders. www.africanews.com · netafrique.net · www.theheritagetimes.com · www.ecofinagency.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Seventeen African countries strengthened cyber‑crime legislation in 2025, and Senegal launched an online platform to report child‑focused digital abuse. www.xibaaru.sn · ai.cnmo.com · www.theheritagetimes.com