The cybersecurity company Kaspersky warned once again that sophisticated cybercriminals are increasingly targeting Africa, as ransomware and advanced persistent threats (APT) rise in the region.
Speaking at the company’s annual cybersecurity weekend for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region, the cybersecurity firm’s global research and analysis team highlighted the growing digital threats affecting African countries.
Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have emerged as hotspots, with Kenya recording one of the highest rates of web threat incidents at 20,1% in the first quarter of 2025.
“While ransomware is less prevalent in Africa due to lower levels of digitalization and economic constraints, countries such as South Africa and Nigeria are seeing a sharp increase in attacks,” said Sergey Lozhkin, Director of Regions at Kaspersky.
Africa remains exposed to the growing threat of cyberattacks
Kaspersky reported a 0,01 percentage point increase in ransomware cases in Africa year-on-year, reaching 0,41%, still below global and Middle Eastern averages but a worrying sign for the continent’s emerging digital infrastructure.
Experts have warned that attackers are honing their tactics, shifting their focus to unconventional entry points such as IoT devices, smart appliances and misconfigured hardware.
“As these economies expand digitally, sectors such as manufacturing, finance and public administration are becoming important targets,” Lozhkin said.
The cybercrime landscape is evolving rapidly, fueled by AI tools and the dark web’s access to large language models, which allow less skilled actors to launch convincing phishing and malware campaigns.
Groups like FunkSec, which uses AI-generated code and a low-cost ransom model, are redefining ransomware operations.
“African organisations face the dual challenge of expanding digital footprints and limited cybersecurity awareness. This makes layered defence strategies, including network segmentation, real-time monitoring and regular staff training, essential,” said Lozhkin.
To bolster defenses, the company recommends using tools such as its free Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business and Kaspersky Next Suite for threat visibility and response.
