TLDR: Africa is currently experiencing its highest weekly cyberattack rates, a phenomenon closely linked to the escalating use of generative AI. A recent report by Check Point Research highlights the continent’s vulnerability, with organizations facing an average of 2,902 attacks per week in September 2025, significantly higher than the global average.
African organizations are facing an alarming surge in cyberattacks, reaching unprecedented weekly rates, a trend experts attribute to the widespread adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). According to the Global Threat Intelligence Report for September 2025 by Check Point Research, the threat intelligence arm of Check Point Software Technologies, the African continent recorded an average of 2,902 cyberattacks per organization per week. This figure starkly contrasts with the global average of 1,900 attacks per week during the same period, underscoring Africa’s heightened vulnerability in the evolving cyber landscape.
The report, released on October 9, 2025, indicates that telecommunications, government, and consumer goods and services sectors are the most frequently targeted industries across Africa. Specific countries bore the brunt of these attacks in September, with Angola experiencing 3,045 weekly attacks per organization, followed closely by Kenya with 3,000, Nigeria with 2,749, and South Africa with 2,054.
Lorna Hardie, Regional Director for Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, expressed deep concern over the situation. ‘As Africans, we are deeply concerned about the continent’s vulnerability to cyber attacks. Especially as many of the attacks in September were prompted by the use of Generative AI,’ Hardie stated. The proliferation of GenAI introduces new data exposure risks, exacerbating the challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals.
This recent spike follows a consistent trend, as Africa also led in cyberattacks during Q2 2025, with an average of 3,365 weekly attacks per organization, marking a 14% year-over-year increase. Globally, Q2 2025 saw a 21% surge in cyberattacks compared to the previous year, averaging 1,984 attacks per week.
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In response to these escalating threats, Hardie emphasized the critical need for a robust defense strategy. ‘The only sustainable defense is a prevention-first strategy powered by real-time AI, ensuring protection across the network, cloud, endpoints, and identities. Only through this approach can organizations stay ahead and protect critical operations from relentless adversaries,’ she added. The report highlights that while no continent is spared from cyber threats, the unique challenges and increasing digital transformation in Africa make it a prime target for cybercriminals leveraging advanced AI tools.
