Ethiopia Tops Global Cyberattack Charts: What It Means and How We Can Respond

According to the INTERPOL Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, Ethiopia was the most targeted country in the world for cyberattacks in 2024. Malware detections placed us at the very top globally, a clear sign that our digital growth is outpacing our ability to defend it. As digital banking, e-commerce, and online services expand rapidly, so do the opportunities for cybercriminals. This blog breaks down what’s happening, why Ethiopia is in the spotlight, and what steps we can all take to build resilience.

The report shows that Ethiopia’s **critical infrastructure**, government systems, financial services, and large scale development projects faced frequent attacks in 2024. Malware infections, ransomware incidents, and phishing campaigns were among the most reported issues.

**Phishing and scams** stand out as the leading threat. Criminals use fake emails, SMS, and social media accounts to impersonate trusted institutions and trick people into giving away sensitive data. Many of these scams now use AI-generated text and deepfakes, making them harder to detect.

Another rising issue is **digital sextortion and online harassment**, often targeting young people and women. Attackers use stolen or manipulated images to blackmail victims, causing psychological harm in addition to financial loss.

The report also highlights **ransomware and Business Email Compromise (BEC)** as costly threats. These attacks can paralyze businesses and institutions, sometimes demanding payments in cryptocurrency while threatening to leak stolen data.

Telecommunications are not spared either. **SIM swap fraud** is on the rise, where criminals hijack phone numbers to intercept banking codes and empty accounts. As mobile banking continues to grow in Ethiopia, this attack method is a major concern.

Key Cyber Threats Facing Ethiopia

• Malware detections (highest in the world in 2024)
• Phishing and online scams using AI and social engineering
• Digital sextortion targeting youth and women
• Ransomware and Business Email Compromise (BEC)
• SIM swap fraud linked to mobile banking

What Ethiopia Should Do Next

1. Strengthen national cyber response teams and establish a dedicated CERT for Ethiopia.
2. Update cybercrime laws and align with global frameworks like the Budapest Convention.
3. Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all banking and government platforms.
4. Expand public awareness campaigns in local languages to teach phishing and scam recognition.
5. Invest in digital forensics and train law enforcement to investigate online crimes.
6. Partner with telecoms to combat SIM swap fraud through stricter verification.
7. Encourage businesses to adopt stronger security practices and share threat intelligence.

Ethiopia’s digital growth is impressive—but without security, it risks being built on fragile ground.

Ethiopia’s position as the top target globally should not only alarm us but also push us into action. Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue for IT departments, it’s a matter of trust, safety, and development. Without strong defenses, our digital economy risks losing credibility. But with the right investments in awareness, technology, and legal frameworks, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity to lead in resilience.