Mastercard: Africa cyberattacks up 421% over a decade

Mastercard's new whitepaper reports that cyberattacks on African organizations rose 421% between 2016 and 2025, versus 307% globally. In 2025 it recorded 69,236 observed cyber events, roughly one every eight minutes. Africa faces a shortfall of about 200,000 cybersecurity professionals.

• Cyberattacks in Africa rose 421% from 2016 to 2025, versus 307% globally
• 69,236 cyber events observed in 2025 — about one every eight minutes
• South Africa accounted for 12.6% of attacks on the continent; Nigeria leads
• About 200,000 cybersecurity roles are unfilled, 23% of the current workforce