Artificial intelligence is now powering over half of reported cybercrime in Africa, enabling faster, more convincing, and larger-scale attacks, according to INTERPOL's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026. The report found that 55% of cybercrime cases involve AI, a significant concern as Africa's digital economy expands with over 1.1 billion mobile subscribers. Online scams remain the primary threat, with cybercrime losses escalating from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025, largely due to AI-powered fraud and sophisticated social engineering.

AI is transforming cybercriminal tactics, with deepfake technology and AI-generated content used in sextortion and harassment. Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams are also on the rise, leveraging realistic AI-generated emails. Cybercriminals are increasingly using synthetic identities, combining real and fabricated data to evade detection. Furthermore, weak coordination between financial institutions and law enforcement, coupled with inadequate preparedness for AI-driven threats, leaves financial systems vulnerable.

Despite these challenges, progress is being made. In 2025, 17 African countries updated cybercrime legislation, and joint international operations led to over 1,500 arrests and the recovery of over $100 million linked to cybercrime.