Security Navigator Africa

Discover Africa's unique cyber threat landscape

Between 2020 and 2025, Orange Cyberdefense tracked over 340 major cyber incidents - from ransomware and espionage to data leaks and coordinated attacks - impacting enterprises across Africa. Cyber extortion groups (Cy-X) named 271 African victims, representing 1.5% of global victims, showing that Africa is no longer on the periphery but a key battleground for both criminal and geopolitical adversaries.

Security Navigator Africa is Orange Cyberdefense’s first in-depth report on Africa’s rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

Drawing on research, data analysis, and real-world case studies, it delivers strategic intelligence to help you understand Africa’s cyber context, emerging risks, and prioritise security investments.

Whether you are a cybersecurity professional, business leader, or citizen, this report equips you with the data and insights needed to make informed, strategic decisions.

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Africa’s unique context amplifies cyber risks:

Mobile-first dependence: 81% of internet access via mobile by 2030
Youthful, hyper-connected populations: 60% under 25; 384 million social media users
Low cybersecurity investment: budgets often below 0.25% of GDP
Skills shortages: e.g., South Africa has 20,000 unfilled cyber roles
Uneven connectivity and maturity: varies widely across regions

In the report, we introduce the Cyber Exposure Matrix, classifying countries by digital adoption and cyber resilience - from Distracted (low ICT and cyber) to Engaged (high ICT and cyber) - revealing patterns of vulnerability and strength.

Reliable and objective data on the scope and scale of cybercrime on the African continent remains scarce, so this report seeks to improve our collective understanding of the issue.
Charl van der Walt, Head of Security Research at Orange Cyberdefense & Editor-in-Chief, Security Navigator Africa

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