INTERPOL links artificial intelligence to more than half of cybercrime in Africa

# The 2026 International Criminal Police Organisation African Cyberthreat Assessment Report reveals that artificial intelligence is enabling 55-percent of reported cybercrimes across Africa. This makes attacks faster and increasingly difficult for victims and platforms to detect. According to the report, South Africa’s ultra-high connectivity makes it a magnet for global threat actors seeking maximum disruption. INTERPOL says cybercrime losses in Africa have doubled since 2024, reaching over eight-billion-rand. It recommends standardised digital forensic capabilities, enhanced cross-border cooperation and investment in AI literacy among law enforcement officers and formal public-private partnerships.