AI Now Powers More Than Half of Africa's Cybercrime, INTERPOL Report Finds
Nairobi — Artificial intelligence now underpins more than half of all reported cybercrime across Africa, according to the latest INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026. The findings reveal a rapidly evolving threat landscape that is becoming increasingly difficult for authorities to detect and counter.
The report, based on survey data from 36 member countries and intelligence from private sector partners including Fortinet, Mastercard, the Shadowserver Foundation, S2W and TrendAI, found that 55% of cybercrime cases recorded across the continent now involve AI. This marks a significant shift, with criminal networks using AI and other advanced technologies to launch attacks faster, at larger scale, and across multiple countries simultaneously.
Cybercrime-related financial losses across Africa have more than doubled since 2024, reaching an estimated $484 million — up from $192 million the previous year. Investigators attribute this sharp increase to AI-powered fraud, stolen login credentials, and sophisticated social engineering attacks.
The assessment also revealed that 72% of surveyed countries reported the presence of organized scam centres, with the highest concentration in Southern and West Africa.
Online Scams Dominate, AI Bypasses Security
Online scams remain the most frequently reported form of cybercrime across the continent, according to the report. Criminals are increasingly combining AI with social media platforms and mobile money services to target victims.
One of the most alarming developments highlighted is the growing use of AI-generated synthetic identities to bypass biometric security systems. By merging stolen personal information with fabricated data, criminals deceive identity verification processes, enabling them to open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans, and register SIM cards under false identities.
The financial services, telecommunications, and government sectors continue to bear the brunt of AI-enabled credential theft and automated social engineering attacks.
Regional Variations and Kenya's Exposure
The report highlights distinct cybercrime trends across different regions of the continent. In East Africa, mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure are among the biggest threats. West and Central Africa continue to experience high levels of business email compromise and romance scams, while Southern Africa's advanced digital connectivity has made it an attractive target for international cybercriminal groups.
Kenya's expanding digital economy is identified as one of the region's most exposed, due to its extensive use of mobile money and digital government services. The report notes more than 46,786 DDoS attacks against telecommunications networks in the first half of 2025, widespread intrusion attempts against government ICT systems, and a sharp increase in phishing attacks.
INTERPOL also highlighted a 327% rise in SIM-swap fraud investigations, with more than 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards detected and an estimated US$3.8 million stolen from mobile wallet users.
Call for Stronger Cooperation
The international policing agency said criminals continue to exploit weaknesses in digital identity verification and inconsistent KYC procedures, enabling them to hijack phone numbers and access financial accounts. It called on governments, regulators, financial institutions, and telecommunications firms to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and improve cross-border cooperation to counter increasingly sophisticated cybercrime.
With more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in Africa in 2025, millions of people rely on digital services, creating new opportunities for both innovation and cybercriminals. INTERPOL's report underscores the urgent need for enhanced collective action to safeguard the continent's digital future.