Mastercard records nearly 70,000 cyber events across Africa in 2025

Mastercard has released a report detailing a sharp rise in cyber threats across Africa, documenting nearly 70,000 cyber events on the continent during 2025. The findings highlight a dramatic 421.4% increase in cyber attacks between 2016 and 2025, a growth rate that significantly outpaces the global average of 307.3%. This surge underscores the growing vulnerability of Africa's rapidly expanding digital landscape to increasingly sophisticated criminal activities. Financial services and public institutions were identified as the primary targets, accounting for 44% of all recorded cyber events. These sectors are critical to the continent's economic stability and public trust, yet they remain under constant pressure from digital attackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in essential infrastructure. The research indicates that the intensity of these attacks is closely tied to the increasing digitalization of services and the rapid adoption of digital payment systems across the region. A major factor compounding these security risks is a severe talent deficit within the continent's technology sector. According to Mastercard, Africa currently faces a shortage of approximately 200,000 cybersecurity professionals. This gap in expertise makes it difficult for both private companies and government agencies to implement robust defense mechanisms or respond effectively to breaches. The report suggests that without a significant investment in specialized training and workforce development, the continent remains at a strategic disadvantage. These findings come as Africa’s digital economy is poised for unprecedented growth, with digital payments projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030. Mastercard emphasizes that building a secure digital ecosystem is essential to maintaining public confidence and protecting critical infrastructure. As the continent continues its digital transformation, the report serves as a call to action for stakeholders to prioritize cybersecurity measures and collaborative frameworks to safeguard Africa's economic future.