Public Management

AI's Role in Cybersecurity: A Fine Line Between Strength and Threats

AI's Role in Cybersecurity: A Fine Line Between Strength and Threats
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 11:44

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries in an increasingly digital world, its impact on cybersecurity—a key pillar of the fourth industrial revolution—is raising growing concerns. In its "Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025" report released in January, the World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed that nearly 47% of businesses worldwide see the rise of AI-powered cybercrime as their top concern.

1 cybersecu

This fear is well-founded, according to Amin Hasbini, head of research for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. "Cybercriminals are exploiting open-source AI models like LLaMA or Quant to develop their own malicious generative AI tools, such as Evil GPT or Wolf GPT. These technologies enable them to automate complex tasks, from mass-producing malware to personalizing phishing attacks," he explained.

Meanwhile, projections from Google and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) suggest that Africa’s digital economy could be worth $712 billion by 2050. This growth, driven by sectors like telecommunications, banking, commerce, and transportation, faces a major threat: the continent's lack of preparedness for cybersecurity challenges. Without urgent action, the economic potential highlighted by Google and the IFC could be severely undermined.

But while AI gives cybercriminals more power, it also offers African governments and businesses a chance to strengthen their cyber defenses. AI-driven cybersecurity solutions are already helping organizations worldwide protect their data, applications, and cloud infrastructures.

A report from the Capgemini Research Institute, published in November 2024, found that many organizations are using AI to analyze massive datasets, detect attack patterns, and anticipate security breaches.

1 fig12

More than 60% of the respondent businesses that have integrated AI into their cybersecurity strategies reported at least a 5% improvement in threat detection speed. Moreover, nearly 40% said AI reduced their response time to cyber threats by at least 5%.

However, in Africa—where cybersecurity investments remain low—the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) warns that a shift in mindset is urgently needed.

Interpol is urging African nations to establish or strengthen harmonized national frameworks to combat cybercrime effectively. The organization also emphasizes the need to invest in law enforcement’s cyber capabilities through skills development, process improvements, and the adoption of advanced technologies.

At the same time, supporting private sector cybersecurity initiatives, promoting digital education, and raising public awareness of cyber risks are critical. Greater cooperation between African countries is also essential to counter the global cybercrime threat.

In Africa, AI presents both a challenge and an opportunity for cybersecurity. If the continent can bridge its gaps in infrastructure, training, and regulation, it could secure its place in the global digital economy while minimizing cyber risks.

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
WEF spotlights Rawbank’s $400m Kamoa-Kakula loan as a model for ESG-aligned finance of critical minerals in the DRC. The deal mandates 60%...
Zambia's stock index gained 14.3% in August and 56% YTD, driven by strong copper prices. Copperbelt Energy has maintained a market capitalization of...
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has injected N365.9 billion ($238.5 million) into its subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTBank), to...
IFC may grant up to $20 million to CBI Ghana for a low-carbon cement plant in Tema. The $66.7 million project includes global investors...
Most Read
01

It’s a common scene in any Lomé (Togo) market, but it’s telling. A customer hands a 10,000 CFA franc...

The Change Shortage: A Crisis Hidden by the CFA Franc’s Stability
02

Egypt’s handset market is projected to leap from $2.5 billion in 2025 to $4.8 billion by...

Egypt’s $2.5B-to-$4.8B Smartphone Surge Set to Reshape Africa’s Tech Map by 2031
03

Burkina Faso ends Target Malaria, a GMO mosquito project funded by the Gates Foundation. The ...

Burkina Faso Halts a Malaria Program Backed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
04

Egypt and UNECA launched a five-day workshop in Cairo to strengthen maritime tax audits and IFRS-b...

Egypt Bolsters Maritime Tax Collection With UN Economic Commission Training
05

Sadot and Vodacom’s MOTI launch Africa’s first telco-powered farm-to-fork app to cut crop losses a...

Sadot, Vodacom-Backed MOTI Launch Africa’s First Telco-Powered Farm-to-Fork App  
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.