Cybercrime-related financial losses across Africa have more than doubled since 2024, rising from $192 million to $484 million, according to a new Interpol report.
Artificial intelligence was used in 55% of reported cybercrime cases across the continent, the International Criminal Police Organization said in its Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, released on Monday.
The report said AI tools were allowing cybercriminals to launch attacks more quickly, target larger numbers of victims and produce scams that were increasingly difficult to detect.
The findings were based on data collected from 36 African countries.
Online fraud was the most commonly reported form of cybercrime in Africa during 2025, with criminals increasingly using mobile money services, social media platforms and AI-generated content to reach potential victims.
Interpol did not provide a country-by-country ranking of cybercrime activity but identified distinct regional trends.
East Africa has become a major hub for fraud targeting mobile payment systems, as well as ransomware attacks, the report said.
In West and Central Africa, business email compromise scams and online romance fraud remained particularly widespread.
Southern Africa, meanwhile, has emerged as a key target for international cybercrime networks because of the region’s relatively high level of digital connectivity.
The report also warned that AI-generated deepfakes were becoming increasingly common in cases involving digital extortion, impersonation and online harassment.
Several African governments introduced new measures in response to the growing threat. Senegal launched an online reporting platform in 2025 to address digital violations targeting children, while 17 African countries strengthened their cybercrime legislation during the year.
Interpol-coordinated international operations led to the arrest of more than 1,500 suspects, the seizure of hundreds of digital devices and the confiscation of more than $100 million in suspected criminal proceeds, according to the report.
Interpol called for stronger cross-border cooperation, expanded AI training for law enforcement agencies and greater collaboration between governments and private technology companies to counter the growing cybercrime threat.