Cyber Threat Surge: Eight African Nations Amongst Most Attacked Globally 

Eight African countries have been ranked among the top 20 most cyber-attacked nations globally, according to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd’s latest Global Threat Index for January 2025. The report highlights Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Mozambique as the most targeted nations on the continent, with cyber threats continuing to rise across key sectors.

Ethiopia emerged as the most attacked country among 109 nations featured in the index. Zimbabwe followed closely in fifth place, while Mozambique was ranked 17th. Egypt had the lowest threat ranking in Africa and was positioned at 97th with a Normalised Risk Index (NRI) of 31.1%. Nigeria recorded an increase in cyber-attacks, moving from 13th place in December 2024 to 11th in January 2025. Meanwhile, Ghana improved, dropping from 11th place in December to 16th in January.

The report also identifies the most prevalent malware families affecting the listed nations. FakeUpdates, first discovered in 2018, tricks users with fake browser update notifications, leading to malware downloads. Formbook, an infostealer targeting Windows systems since 2016, steals login credentials and personal data from various websites. Remcos, a remote access trojan (RAT) observed since 2016, enables hackers to take control of compromised devices through malicious documents. Ransomware threats are also on the rise, with groups such as Clop, FunkSec, and RansomHub accounting for a significant portion of published attacks. Mobile malware like Anubis, AhMyth, and Necro remain prominent threats as well.

Security experts have also raised concerns over cybercriminals increasingly using AI-powered tools to enhance their attacks. In Africa, generative AI is being exploited to bypass traditional verification systems, leading to a surge in identity theft and financial crimes. Fraudsters now use AI to generate hyper-realistic fake documents, voices, and images, making it easier to deceive security systems.

Maya Horowitz, VP of Research at Check Point Software, highlighted the evolving cyber threat landscape, stating, ‘AI is transforming the cyber threat landscape, with cyber criminals rapidly evolving their methods, leveraging AI to automate and scale their tactics and enhance their capabilities. To effectively combat these threats, organisations must move beyond traditional defences and adopt proactive, adaptive AI-powered security measures that anticipate emerging risks.’

African nations have already suffered notable cybersecurity breaches in recent years. In 2024, Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) and Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had sensitive government data exposed online. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also reported a cyber breach on its website, further underlining the continent’s growing vulnerability.

With cybercriminals increasingly using AI-driven attacks, African nations, and organisations must prioritise advanced security measures to combat these threats. The need for proactive and adaptive cybersecurity solutions has never been greater as the digital landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace.