By Oluwaseun Taiwo

The Rising Tide of Cybersecurity Threats in Africa: How Prepared Are African Nations? Africa is experiencing a rapid growth in internet usage, mobile connectivity, and digital economies. This digital transformation has unlocked numerous opportunities, but also exposed African nations to an alarming rise in cybersecurity threats. From cybercrime and ransomware attacks to state-sponsored cyber espionage, the continent faces a growing array of challenges. This begs the question of how prepared African nations are to counter these escalating cybersecurity threats?
The rise of digital transformation across the continent, with increased use of mobile devices, online banking, and e-government services, has made Africa a target-rich environment for cybercriminals. Cybercrimes have become rampant, with fraudulent schemes, identity theft, and financial scams leading the charge.

One of the most notable cybersecurity incidents in Africa was the 2020 data breach involving the South African credit bureau, Experian. The breach exposed the personal information of over 20 million South Africans, including 800,000 businesses (from infosecurity magazine). The attackers gained unauthorized access to Experian’s database by posing as a legitimate client. The stolen data was later leaked online, posing significant risks of identity theft and fraud.

In 2020, Nigerian authorities arrested over 80 individuals, mostly Nigerian nationals, involved in a global cyber fraud scheme. The group was accused of conducting sophisticated phishing scams, business email compromise schemes, and romance scams that defrauded individuals and businesses worldwide. The scams led to significant financial losses for victims globally, with millions of dollars being stolen. The case drew international attention to Nigeria’s role as a hub for cybercrime. Of recent in Nigeria, there was an abduction of medical students at the university of Jos, the abductors forced them to use cyber messaging app to reach out to people to be able to help them with the ransom for their release which according to Act 2015 of cybercrimes is an act of cyberterrorism. There was also news circulating that there was an attack on the domain address of one of Nigeria’s banks Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB).

The state of cybersecurity across Africa is uneven, with some countries making significant strides while others lag. South Africa’s response to the Experian breach highlighted both strengths and weaknesses in the nation’s cybersecurity preparedness. On the positive side, the South African government acted quickly to inform the public about the breach and worked with Experian to mitigate the damage. The South African Reserve Bank and other financial institutions took steps to monitor and protect accounts potentially affected by the breach. However, there was criticism regarding the adequacy of existing cybersecurity frameworks. South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which was designed to safeguard personal data, was criticized for its delayed implementation and enforcement. Although the law was in place, the breach revealed gaps in compliance and oversight, raising questions about the effectiveness of legal protections against such incidents.

The Experian case is not an isolated incident; it reflects broader issues in Africa’s cybersecurity landscape like shortage of cybersecurity experts across the continent, limiting the ability of nations to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. Even while some African countries have enacted cybersecurity laws, enforcement is often weak, and regulatory frameworks are outdated or incomplete. This leaves gaps that cybercriminals can exploit. Public awareness of cybersecurity risks is generally low, leading to risky behaviors such as poor password management and susceptibility to phishing scams. Many African governments and organizations have not invested sufficiently in cybersecurity infrastructure, leaving critical systems vulnerable to attacks.
Considering these challenges, it’s clear that African nations need to prioritize cybersecurity as a matter of “national security”. The increasing digitalization of economies, government services, and financial systems make it imperative for African nations to bolster their cybersecurity frameworks. This requires a multi-faceted approach like Investment in Cybersecurity Education and Training. African governments should invest in developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce. This includes integrating cybersecurity into educational curricula and providing training for professionals across sectors. Countries need to update and enforce cybersecurity laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that data protection laws like POPIA are not only in place but are actively enforced. Public education campaigns are also necessary to raise awareness about cybersecurity risks and encourage safer online behaviors. Cyber threats are not confined by borders, making regional cooperation essential. African nations should work together to share information, resources, and strategies for combating cyber threats.

Africa’s digital transformation presents immense opportunities, but also comes with significant risks. The rising tide of cybersecurity threats on the continent underscores the urgent need for African nations to enhance their cybersecurity preparedness. By addressing the existing gaps and investing in robust cybersecurity measures, Africa can protect its digital future.