Africa’s finance boom demands strong cybersecurity
laone choeunyan | Monday December 1, 2025 06:00
As financial technology spreads, countries are being pushed to confront a central challenge: how to keep users safe without limiting access for millions who are still outside the formal banking system.
Across the continent, cryptocurrency and mobile money platforms have become essential alternatives for people who cannot access traditional financial services. But specialists warn that digital finance can only succeed if users trust the systems they rely on. If cybersecurity measures are too restrictive, they risk shutting out the very communities digital services are meant to empower. Yet when protections are too weak, fraud, scams, and cybercrime thrive—undermining confidence and slowing adoption.
Cybersecurity engineer Allan Juma says the way forward is to stop viewing regulation and security as competing demands. Instead, he argues they must work together.
'Strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure infrastructure need to align with clear legislative frameworks,' he said in a statement. 'When they do, the result is a financial system that is both resilient and trustworthy.'
Cybersecurity company ESET adds that rapid digital adoption in Africa is drawing the attention of cybercriminals who target new and inexperienced users. The company's latest threat monitoring report shows rising activity across mobile, cloud, and cryptocurrency platforms.
ESET believes this makes early detection, threat intelligence, and strong user protection essential for safeguarding Africa's digital economy.
ESET provides AI-driven cybersecurity tools, including real-time threat detection, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. The company says its combination of research, advanced technology, and local support helps keep businesses and individuals safe as online financial activity increases.