Cybersecurity: Africa goes on alert

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Africa is one of the continents most targeted by cyberattacks. The average number of attacks there exceeds the global average. This is forcing governments and private sector players to take action to counter cybercriminal activities, which have a considerable financial impact.

"The year 2022 was marked in Africa by a real increase in the volume of cyber threats, which continued in 2023. Cybercriminals were active on our continent, with approximately 1,848 attacks per week targeting an organization in Africa, compared to 1,164 worldwide." These words were spoken by Franck Kié, Commissioner General of the Cyber ​​Africa Forum, an event held on April 24 and 25 in Abidjan, now in its third year. These indications of the virulence of cyberattacks in Africa speak volumes about the risks faced by African companies and states in the digital domain.

Moreover, in recent months, several incidents have highlighted the urgent need to equip African IT systems with powerful cambodia mobile database to counter cybercriminal invasions. The most emblematic case concerns the hacking of the Senegalese Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, which recently suffered the theft of nearly 150 gigabytes of personal data. In Angola, there is also talk of Sonangol, a state-owned company responsible for the exploitation and production of oil and natural gas, which has been targeted by cyberattacks.

250 million Africans on social media
This is pushing African actors to rally to counter these threats. Threats that weigh as much on the security and operation of their businesses and institutions as on their reputation and finances. "In Europe, it's romantic cyber fraud that dominates, while in Africa it's financial cyber fraud that's spreading," observed Ivorian Minister of the Digital Economy, Amadou Coulibaly, during the opening of the Cyber ​​Africa Forum. "Today, it's important to note that 250 million Africans are active on social media every day. More than 60% of financial transactions in Africa are made via digital platforms. This therefore requires securing our platforms," ​​insists Charles Kié, CEO of Genesis Holding Company.

A promising sector
, both foreign and domestic players are trying to counter threats from malicious actors online. "There are several African players in the cybersecurity sector, providing various services ranging from security consulting to training, risk management, and incident response," reassures Daouda Sow, CEO of Techso Group, an African cybersecurity company.

According to him, there is "an emergence of local [African] players increasingly specialized in cybersecurity to meet these challenges." In any case, there is reason to believe this, as it is not only a vital sector, but also one that holds great promise for the future. According to some estimates from specialist firms, the cybersecurity market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to reach $17.3 billion by 2026.

Amadou Coulibaly,
Ivorian Minister of Communication and Digital Economy

The advent of COVID-19 and the changes in our habits have been a significant catalyst for the growth of internet use. This development in our relationship with the internet is driving the growth of cyber threats.

Adnane Ben Halima
, Vice President of Public Relations, Huawei Northern Africa

The financial sector is one of the sectors making the greatest efforts to protect and secure data. The digital economy is evolving six times faster than the traditional economy.

Franck Kié,
Commissioner General of the Cyber ​​Africa Forum

The year 2022 was marked in Africa by a real increase in the volume of cyber threats, which continued in 2023. Cybercriminals were active on our continent, with approximately 1,848 attacks per week targeting an organization in Africa, compared to 1,164 worldwide.