Allan Juma, Cyber Security Engineer at ESETWhile global attention remains fixed on high-profile cyber incidents in North America and Europe, a quieter crisis is unfolding much closer to home. The idea that African markets are too small or insignificant to attract cybercriminals has created a blind spot, leaving networks, businesses, and governments exposed. As a result, the continent has become the ideal testing ground for new and evolving cyber threats.
“Unlike developed nations, Africa hasn’t had the luxury of slow, steady infrastructure growth. For a long time, our resources fuelled Western development, while our own progress was left behind. Out of necessity, and because of globalization, we’ve had to adopt new technologies quickly – sometimes without the chance to fully understand or secure them. It’s no surprise that we’re now facing some of the world’s toughest online threats. The very technologies meant to help us have, in some ways, opened the door to even more cyber exploitation,” says Allan Juma, Cyber Security Engineer at ESET East Africa.
This rapid adoption, combined with limited cybersecurity readiness, leaves the continent exposed. In 2024, only nine out of 44 African countries ranked in the top two tiers of cybersecurity maturity in the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index – a clear sign that weak strategies and security gaps have created an ideal low-risk environment for cybercriminals to exploit.
“Today’s cybercriminals are operating with more sophistication than ever before. The rise of generative AI is making things even more challenging, fuelling the spread of misinformation, convincing phishing scams and large-scale malware attacks. Much of this surge is closely linked to the growing presence of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operations right here in Africa,” says Juma.
The convergence of these tactics across the continent points to a clear trend. Groups like FunkSec, linked to at least 10 confirmed ransomware incidents globally, including several in Africa, are leveraging AI-powered malware to develop and upgrade ransomware at speed. This approach allows attackers, regardless of technical skill, to launch precise, hard-to-detect campaigns, effectively turning cybercrime into a scalable operation with devastating consequences for businesses and individuals alike, ranging from reputational damage to financial loss.
“This is where Africa’s risks really start to pile up. Our digital world is growing fast, but too often we’re not investing enough in cybersecurity or training the people who can keep us safe. It’s like leaving the front door wide open, inviting all kinds of attacks from random opportunists to highly skilled hackers targeting key systems. If we want to turn this around, cybersecurity must become a top priority for governments, businesses, and everyone in between,” says Juma.
Recognizing the risks is only the starting point. Meaningful change will require more than generic, off-the-shelf solutions. African businesses need a fundamental shift – from reacting to threats to staying ahead of them. By championing proactive, continent-wide strategies like robust regulatory frameworks and cross-border threat intelligence sharing, Africa can not only secure its own digital future but set a powerful example for other emerging economies facing similar threats.
FACT BOX: The nine African countries ranked in the top two tiers of cybersecurity maturity include:
Tier 1
Egypt Mauritius Ghana Kenya Rwanda Morocco
Tier 2
South Africa Zambia
About ESET
ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown – securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com/afr.
Distributed by Be-cause Integrated Communications
