Cybersecurity in Africa: Navigating Threats, Trends, and the Tech Landscape

Compliance Hub

19 Feb 2025 — 6 min read

Africa's digital landscape is rapidly evolving, bringing with it a complex web of cybersecurity challenges and opportunities. From the surge in cybercriminal activities targeting financial systems to the development of robust regulatory frameworks, the continent stands at a critical juncture in shaping its digital future. This article delves into the key themes and trends in African cybersecurity, drawing from recent research and expert insights.

The Expanding Cyber Threat Landscape

Africa faces a diverse and expanding array of cyber threats. These range from state-sponsored attacks for geopolitical gains to cybercriminal networks exploiting the continent's increasing digital financial infrastructure in pursuit of profit. As the Africa Center for Strategic Studies notes, cyber threats exploit Africa’s increasingly digitally dependent financial architecture in pursuit of profit.

Cybercriminal Networks: These groups target the increasingly digitized financial systems, seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain.
State Actors: Some nations engage in cyberattacks for geopolitical advantages, adding another layer of complexity to the threat landscape.

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Key Trends and Developments

Several key trends are shaping the cybersecurity landscape in Africa:

Data Sovereignty: A growing push for data localization is evident, with many African nations now requiring local data storage. This trend aims to ensure that data generated within the continent is stored and managed locally, but it also presents challenges related to fragmented cloud infrastructure and potential security risks.
AI Regulation: African countries are actively developing AI strategies and regulatory frameworks. These initiatives focus on ethical governance, algorithmic transparency, and human oversight.
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Regulations are being implemented to mandate real-time threat monitoring of essential systems. For instance, Kenya's Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Regulations 2024 require continuous monitoring of essential systems in sectors like energy, finance, and healthcare.

The Role of International and Regional Frameworks

Efforts to enhance cybersecurity in Africa are underpinned by international and regional frameworks.

UN Framework: The UN Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace serves as the backbone for global efforts, promoting the application of international law, voluntary norms, and confidence-building measures. This includes commitments to protect critical infrastructure and facilitate international cooperation to prevent and combat cybercrime.
Malabo Convention: The African Union's Malabo Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection is a key regional instrument. However, its effectiveness is limited by the fact that, as of 2024, it has only been ratified by 15 of 55 AU member states. This low ratification rate hinders the harmonization of data protection and cybersecurity policies across the continent.
Regional Economic Communities (RECs): RECs play a crucial role in coordinating cybersecurity efforts among their member states. Examples include ECOWAS, SADC, and EAC, which have been active in adopting regional strategies and model laws.
African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA): Launched in February 2025, ANCA aims to coordinate threat intelligence and policy alignment across the continent.

National Legal and Regulatory Developments

Several African countries have been proactive in developing and implementing cybersecurity and data protection laws.

Kenya: The Computer Misuse & Cybercrimes Act (Amended 2024) includes CII regulations and expanded offenses. The Data Protection Act 2019 aligns with GDPR principles, and a Draft National AI Strategy (2025 Target) is under development.
South Africa: The Cybercrimes Act 2020 criminalizes various cyber offenses and mandates incident reporting. POPIA (2020) focuses on data protection, and an AI Policy Framework (2024) establishes innovation hubs and algorithmic impact assessments.
Nigeria: The Cybercrimes Act 2015 created a National Cybersecurity Fund. NDPA 2023 introduces data localization requirements, and a Draft AI-specific Legislation proposes an AI development fund.
Egypt: Cybercrime Law 2018 authorizes website blocking, and Law No. 151/2020 mandates local data storage for e-government services. AI regulatory proposals focus on surveillance systems.
Morocco: Cybersecurity Law 09-08 requires sector-specific CERTs, and CNDP Law 09-08 recognizes the right to algorithmic explanation. Morocco participates in AU AI working groups.

Challenges and Gaps

Despite the progress, African nations face numerous challenges in establishing robust cybersecurity architectures.

Low Ratification of Malabo Convention: The low ratification rate of the Malabo Convention hinders the development of harmonized policies.
Resource Constraints: Inadequate resources for Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) and Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) limit their effectiveness.
Limited Public Awareness: Lack of public awareness of data protection rights and cybersecurity best practices remains a significant issue.
Overbroad National Security Exemptions: Some national security exemptions in data protection laws are too broad, potentially undermining privacy rights.
Regulatory Fragmentation in Fintech: Kenya's approach to fintech regulation has been fragmented, leading to calls for clearer regulations for digital assets and payment systems.

US-Africa Cybersecurity Cooperation

The U.S. government is increasingly interested in cybersecurity cooperation with Africa. The U.S. strategy emphasizes supporting an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet. This involves implementing the UN framework and assisting partner nations in strengthening national cybersecurity. The White House’s Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) Initiative promotes governance and regulation to ensure a secure digital environment.

The Path Forward

To improve cybersecurity in Africa, several steps can be taken:

Increase Ratification of the Malabo Convention: Encouraging more African nations to ratify the Malabo Convention would promote harmonized policies and cross-border cooperation.
Boost Funding for Regulatory Bodies: Adequate funding for DPAs and CERTs is essential for effective enforcement and incident response.
Enhance Public Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns can educate citizens about their data protection rights and promote cybersecurity best practices.
Develop Clear Guidelines for AI Governance: Establishing clear guidelines for the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies is crucial.
Promote Cross-Border Cooperation: Strengthening regional cybersecurity architecture through initiatives like ANCA can facilitate the sharing of threat intelligence and best practices.

By addressing these challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, Africa can build a secure and resilient digital environment that supports economic growth and social development. Continuous monitoring and adaptation are crucial due to the rapid evolution of cyber threats and emerging technologies.

Timeline of Events (2014-2025)

July 2014: The African Union adopts the Malabo Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection.
2015: Nigeria passes the Cybercrimes Act.
2018: Egypt passes the Cybercrime Law authorizing website blocking.
2018-2021: The number of national CERTs in Africa grows from 13 to 19.
2019: Kenya enacts the Data Protection Act (DPA), aligning with GDPR.
2020: South Africa enacts the Cybercrimes Act and POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act).
2020: Egypt enacts Law No. 151/2020 mandating local data storage.
2021: ECOWAS adopts a regional cybersecurity and cybercrime strategy.
2022: The White House launches the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) Initiative.
2022-2025: Central Bank of Kenya's National Payment Strategy provides direction for digital asset regulation.
May 2023: The Malabo Convention enters into force after nine years.
2023: Nigeria enacts the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
December 2023: Cyber is featured for the first time during U.S. Africa Command’s Justified Accord Military exercise in Kenya.
January 2024: African Union Peace and Security Council adopts a Common African Position (CAP) on the Application of International Law to the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Cyberspace.
February 2024: The African Union Continental AI Strategy was adopted by the Executive Council.
2024: Disputes in Kenya's technology sector centre mostly on data breaches, intermediary liability, social media complaints and employment.
2024: Introduction of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) regulations, requiring real-time monitoring of essential systems in Kenya's energy, finance, and healthcare sectors via the Amended Computer Misuse & Cybercrimes Act.
2024: Implementation of National Cybersecurity Strategy (2022-2027) is expected to continue to strengthen governance, legal frameworks, and collaboration in the cybersecurity sector in Kenya.
2024: Zambia unveils its AI strategy.
2024: South Africa published its AI Policy Framework.
May 21-23, 2024: Africa Center for Strategic Studies hosts a workshop in Port Louis, Mauritius on "Advancing Regional Cyber Security and Stability in Africa".
December 4, 2024: Article published in CIO Africa predicting AI, data privacy and cybersecurity will drive the IT sector in Kenya in 2025.
February 2025: Launch of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA).
2025 (Target): Kenya plans to publish its National AI Strategy.