05 Dec Africa moves to strengthen cybersecurity amid rising digital threats

Ahead of the 2025 Future of Digital Countries (FDC) Summit in Accra, African leaders and experts called for stronger cybersecurity, better governance, and more investment in research to protect the continent’s fast-growing digital economy.

A new report shows that Nigeria now faces an average of 4,200 attempted cyber-attacks per organisation each week – well above the continental and global averages.

South Africa is seeing rising ransomware and botnet infections, Kenya has experienced attacks on its national energy grid, and Morocco has faced DDoS attacks and website disruptions. Experts say artificial intelligence is being used by criminals to automate phishing and identity theft, making cyber threats more dangerous than ever.

Lorna Hardie, Regional Director for Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, said: “AI has become part of the attack surface. Attackers are using it to automate phishing and identity theft at scale. The only effective response is prevention-first security that combines visibility, governance, and AI protection.”

Speaking ahead of the summit, Dzifa Gunu, CEO of the Ghana Digital Centre Limited, told MSN, Africa must take charge of its own digital future as he stressed that Ghana’s technology hubs, including the Accra Digital Centre and Ghana Innovation Hub, were examples of home-grown digital growth.

Gunu went on to say that cybersecurity must remain at the centre of the continent’s digital agenda.

Kwesi Atuahene, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation, said Africa’s rapid digital adoption brings both opportunities and risks. and that our young, mobile-first population is driving growth, but it also increases exposure to cybercrime. Atuahene called for building new, inclusive digital systems rather than patching old infrastructure.

Experts also went on to talk about the importance of strong governance. Rev. Angela Carmen Appiah, CEO of the Africa Corporate Governance Network, said that without ethical leadership and board oversight, digital progress remains fragile.

Health officials have since warned that Ghana’s growing use of digital tools and AI in healthcare also depends on secure systems. Investments in rural connectivity, data centres, and cybersecurity compliance are critical components needed to protect sensitive information.

The Check Point report also warned that misconfigured systems, exposed credentials, and poor identity management are leaving African organisations vulnerable. With global rules tightening, such as the EU’s NIS2 Directive, failing to meet security standards could limit Africa’s access to international markets.

The FDC Summit 2025 opened in Accra on 27 November, with stakeholders agreeing that stronger cybersecurity, better governance, and investment in innovation are essential to protect the continent as it embraces the digital age.