AI Drives 55% of Cybercrimes in Africa, INTERPOL Reports

The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) released its African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, revealing that 55% of reported cybercrimes across Africa are now enabled by artificial intelligence. The report, based on survey responses from 36 African member countries, indicates that cybercrime has transitioned from isolated incidents to an industrialized, borderless ecosystem.

Financial losses due to cybercrime have more than doubled since 2024, increasing from $192 million to $484 million, primarily driven by AI-assisted scams, credential theft, and automated social engineering campaigns. Online scams remain the most reported cybercrime, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media, and AI.

The report also highlights that 72% of surveyed countries have scam centres, predominantly in West and Southern Africa. INTERPOL warns that cybercriminals are using AI to create synthetic identities, which can bypass advanced security systems.

Additionally, Business Email Compromise scams have become more convincing through AI-generated emails, targeting victims in Europe and North America.