In 2024, cyberattacks have intensified their grip on the African continent, causing major disruptions in the public and private sectors. These incidents have highlighted the weaknesses of cybersecurity infrastructures, while alerting to the urgency of adapted solutions. Here’s a look at the ten most significant cyberattacks of the year.
1. Region (Cameroon)
In January, Cameroonian energy supplier Eneo was the victim of a cyberattack disrupting several of its applications. Although few details were released, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
2. GhostLocker 2.0 (South Africa and Egypt)
In March, organizations in South Africa, Egypt and beyond were targeted by this sophisticated ransomware, using double extortion tactics. Victims’ data was encrypted and the attackers threatened to release sensitive information if a ransom was not paid.
3. Anonymous Sudan (Uganda)
In February, the Anonymous Sudan group carried out a series of DDoS attacks against Uganda’s main telecom operators, paralyzing their services. These actions were motivated by political demands linked to the conflicts in Sudan.
4. Bank of Uganda
Hacker group “Waste” infiltrated the systems of the Central Bank of Uganda, stealing 62 billion Ugandan shillings. This incident revealed the weaknesses of financial institutions in the face of cyber threats.
5. Flutterwave (Nigeria)
In April, this Nigerian fintech suffered a hack resulting in the loss of billions of naira. The misappropriated funds passed through various bank accounts, exposing gaps in the financial sector’s security systems.
6. Telecom Namibia
In December, this public company was hit by a ransomware attack, compromising sensitive customer data. After refusing to negotiate with the hackers, information was leaked onto the dark web.
-7. National Bureau of Statistics (Nigeria)
The organization’s website was hacked in December, displaying an empty page with a message from hackers. Although efforts were made to restore the site, this event raised concerns about the security of public data.
8. MSEA (Kenya)
The Micro and Small Enterprise Authority was targeted by a cyberattack in December, revealing sensitive employee and state data, which was put up for sale on the dark web for $100,000.
9. NHLS (South Africa)
South Africa’s National Health Laboratory System also suffered a major cyberattack in June, disrupting its essential services.
10. Telecommunications Compromise
Recurring attacks on telecommunications companies in Africa, often motivated by political or financial interests, have persisted into 2024.
With cyber threats on the rise, it is imperative for African governments and businesses to invest more in robust cybersecurity systems. Regional cooperation and increased awareness are essential to counter these growing threats.
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