Mastercard has called for stronger cooperation between governments, financial institutions and businesses to protect Africa’s expanding digital economy, warning that cyber threats are rising alongside the adoption of online financial and commercial services.
The call is outlined in the company-commissioned whitepaper, Africa’s Digital Defense Race, which found that cyberattacks across the continent increased by more than 421% between 2016 and 2025, compared with a global increase of 307%.
Mastercard Cyber Insights recorded 69,236 observed cyber events targeting African organisations in 2025, equivalent to approximately one event every eight minutes.
The report highlights the growing exposure created by rapid digital adoption. Between 2016 and 2025, mobile money users grew 5.9-fold, digital banking users increased 4.7-fold and the e-commerce market expanded 5.3-fold.
The continent’s digital payments economy is expected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030.
Read more: Africa’s digital payments economy projected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030.
Shabir Ahmed, Mastercard’s Senior Vice President and Customer Solutions Center Lead for Africa, said cybersecurity had become a leadership priority as digital services opened new opportunities for businesses and consumers.
“Africa’s digital growth is creating real opportunity for people and businesses across the continent, and protecting it has become a leadership priority,” Ahmed said.
He added that the response to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats must be coordinated, pointing to the Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence as a mechanism for public-private cooperation and the exchange of intelligence and best practices.
Protecting critical digital infrastructure
The whitepaper found that technology, public sector organisations and financial services accounted for 44% of observed cyber activity. Personal information, financial information and customer-facing services collectively represented 27% of targeted assets.
The report also identifies different areas of vulnerability across African markets. Nigeria, home to one of the continent’s largest fintech ecosystems, accounted for a significant share of observed attacks in 2025. South Africa’s financial sector was the target of 12.6% of attacks recorded across Africa.
Morocco has established a comparatively institutionalised cybersecurity governance framework, while Kenya must continue strengthening the systems supporting financial inclusion and digital growth.
Workforce shortages remain a concern
The report estimates that Africa has approximately 200,000 unfilled cybersecurity roles, equivalent to 23% of the existing cybersecurity workforce.
The Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence aims to support organisations by bringing security professionals together to share expertise, exchange best practices and improve preparedness through scenario-based exercises.
Read the announcement: Mastercard launches Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.
Joint enforcement demonstrates the value of cooperation
Regional and international partnerships are also helping authorities respond to cybercrime. Between June and August 2025, Interpol’s Operation Serengeti 2.0 led to 1,209 arrests across 18 African countries and the recovery of USD 97.4 million.
More details: Interpol announces results of major African cybercrime operation.
Mastercard says its approach involves working with governments, financial institutions and businesses of all sizes to improve threat intelligence sharing, monitor risks and strengthen collective cyber defence.
The company’s whitepaper presents cybersecurity as a shared responsibility requiring investment in people, governance, infrastructure and sustained collaboration to ensure digital growth remains secure.
Read the full report: Africa’s Digital Defense Race, Mastercard Cybersecurity Whitepaper.
