Rising Cybercrime Concerns in Africa: A Wake-Up Call for Digital Security

A recent survey by KnowBe4 AFRICA has highlighted a growing sense of unease among Africans regarding cyber threats. The findings reveal a sharp increase in cybersecurity concerns, with 58% of respondents expressing deep worry about cybercrime in 2025—double the 29% recorded in 2023. The primary fear? Online fraud and financial losses, fueled by the rising sophistication of AI-powered cyberattacks.

A Shifting Cybersecurity Landscape

Cybercrime is rapidly escalating across Africa, posing both challenges and opportunities. Threats such as ransomware, digital extortion, and online scams are becoming more prevalent. South Africa alone lost $3 billion to mobile app and digital banking fraud in 2023, according to the SA Banking Risk Information Centre. Cybercriminals are leveraging advanced tactics, including AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate business leaders, making social engineering attacks more effective than ever.

How Prepared Are Africans?

To gauge public awareness and preparedness, KnowBe4 conducted an annual cybersecurity survey across seven African nations—Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, and Botswana. The study, which polled 800 participants, assessed digital habits, security practices, and awareness levels.

One striking revelation was the rise of mobile banking and financial services. Smartphone penetration increased from 71% in 2023 to 75% in 2025, while mobile banking adoption skyrocketed from 63% to 85%. While this boosts financial inclusion, it also expands the attack surface for cybercriminals, highlighting the urgent need for mobile security education.

WhatsApp and the Blurring of Digital Boundaries

The survey also found that WhatsApp is becoming a dominant tool for work-related communication. Usage for professional purposes rose from 89% in 2023 to 93% in 2025, reflecting a growing reliance on the app beyond personal interactions. Other widely used workplace apps included email, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Zoom.

This shift raises security concerns, as personal devices often lack the robust protection of corporate-managed systems. Employees exchanging sensitive data on unsecured platforms could inadvertently expose organizations to cyber threats.

Privacy Awareness Is Declining

Despite rising fears of cybercrime, the survey revealed a troubling trend—Africans are becoming more comfortable sharing personal information online. The percentage of respondents unwilling to share private data dropped from 29% in 2023 to just 14% in 2025. Even more concerning, 8% admitted they would trade personal details for incentives like discounts, while 6% regularly share their data without hesitation.

“People are unknowingly increasing their exposure to cyber threats,” warns Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy at KnowBe4 AFRICA. She emphasizes the need for better training on digital privacy, particularly as understanding of strong passwords declined from 62% in 2023 to 58% in 2025. Awareness of multi-factor authentication remained stagnant at 58%, further underscoring security gaps.

A Call to Strengthen Cyber Resilience

The findings from KnowBe4’s survey serve as a critical reminder for individuals, businesses, and policymakers to prioritize cybersecurity education and best practices. While concern about cybercrime is growing, knowledge and security habits must improve to combat evolving digital threats effectively.

“In 2025, organizations must proactively address cybersecurity vulnerabilities to build a stronger, more resilient digital ecosystem,” concludes Collard. As Africa embraces digital transformation, safeguarding personal and financial information will be key to ensuring a secure future.