Our recent Africa Cybersecurity Awareness survey has revealed a startling surge in cybersecurity concerns among African users, with 58% of respondents expressing high levels of worry about cybercrime - a figure that has nearly doubled from 29% in 2023.
The fear is not unfounded. As highlighted by Interpol's African Cyberthreat Report 2024, the continent has witnessed a significant uptick in cybercrime, along with its financial and social repercussions. South Africa alone saw over R1 billion stolen from consumers through digital banking and mobile app crime in 2023, according to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre.
But it's not just about the numbers. The nature of cyber threats is evolving, with criminals increasingly exploiting human psychology through social engineering tactics. Email phishing and vishing (voice phishing) continue to be the go-to methods for cybercriminals, while emerging technologies like AI-generated content are being weaponized for impersonation, extortion, and data theft.
Perhaps most alarming is the blurring of lines between physical and digital crime. Incidents of criminals using kidnapping or coercion to forcibly access victims' banking applications underscore the growing sophistication and brazenness of these threats.
In response to these concerns, we conducted a survey across seven African countries to gauge user preparedness for cybersecurity threats. The results paint a complex picture of increased awareness coupled with persistent vulnerabilities.
On the positive side, the adoption of mobile financial services 85% among survey respondents, indicates greater financial inclusion through digital means. However, this also expands the potential attack surface for cybercriminals, emphasizing the need for robust, mobile-centric security education.
The survey also revealed some concerning trends. While 83% of respondents expressed confidence in their ability to recognize a security incident, 53% admitted they didn't know what ransomware was, and 35% had lost money to scams. This disconnect highlights the danger of overconfidence in cybersecurity matters.
Privacy concerns seem to be fading, with fewer respondents expressing reluctance to share personal information. The percentage of those "very unlikely" to give away personal data almost halved from 29% in 2023 to 14% in 2025.
As we navigate this evolving landscape, it's clear that while awareness is growing, there's still much work to be done. The survey underscores the need for continued education and vigilance in cybersecurity practices across the continent.
Despite increased concern about cybercrime among the survey's respondents, there are still gaps in knowledge and practice that need to be addressed to improve overall cybersecurity posture across the continent.
As we move forward in 2025, addressing these vulnerabilities should be a priority for individuals, organizations, and policymakers alike. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to build a more secure digital future for Africa.