Nigeria is quickly cementing its place as a digital powerhouse in Africa, with rapid growth in internet penetration, mobile phone usage, and digital services.
The nation’s digital transformation market is projected to hit nearly $27 billion by 2030, according to Industry forecasts.
But as digital infrastructure expands, so too does the country’s exposure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats—many of which are now powered by artificial intelligence.
New research from Microsoft has shed light on a troubling global trend: AI-fueled cyberattacks are accelerating at an unprecedented rate.
In Nigeria, where digital adoption is outpacing much of the continent, the implications are particularly stark. Generative AI tools are making it easier and cheaper for cybercriminals to create convincing content, run scams at scale, and evade detection.
“AI technology is giving cybercriminals the tools to create incredibly deceptive scams,” said Ola Williams, Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana.
“With fake product reviews, AI-generated websites, deepfakes, and voice cloning, these scams can now appear more authentic than ever. It’s vital for businesses and individuals in Nigeria to keep abreast of these evolving tactics.”
Across Africa, AI is driving a surge in fraudulent activity. Deloitte reports that Nigeria experienced a sharp increase in cyber threats in 2024, describing the scale of AI-assisted attacks as approaching “pandemic-like” proportions.
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Deepfake-related incidents in Africa rose sevenfold between the second and fourth quarters of 2024.
These AI-powered tools allow fraudsters to fabricate identities and manipulate biometric data with alarming ease, undermining traditional methods of identity verification.
To help mitigate this threat, Microsoft’s Cyber Signals report outlines the most prevalent forms of AI-driven cybercrime and offers strategies to counter them.
As Nigeria emerges as one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing e-commerce markets, online fraud is evolving just as quickly. Statista notes that user penetration in Nigeria’s e-commerce space now exceeds regional averages.
However, AI has significantly lowered the barrier for creating fraudulent e-commerce platforms. In mere minutes, scammers can launch convincing fake websites, complete with AI-generated product images, descriptions, and reviews.
These sites mimic legitimate businesses, luring unsuspecting consumers into handing over sensitive information or making payments for non-existent goods.
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Even more troubling is the use of AI-powered chatbots, which convincingly interact with users, delay chargebacks, and handle complaints with scripted responses—all in a bid to maintain an air of legitimacy.
Employment fraud is another growing concern. In late 2024, Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) issued a warning about a surge in fake job offers. Scammers are now using AI to create authentic-looking job listings, employer profiles, and recruitment emails.
Fake video interviews and automated email communications have further blurred the line between real and fraudulent hiring processes. Some job platforms are now being urged to introduce multifactor authentication for employer accounts and deploy AI-based fraud detection to flag suspicious activity.
Job seekers are advised to be wary of unsolicited offers, requests for payments, or interviews conducted over informal channels like text messages. Verifying the authenticity of job portals and using browser tools like Microsoft Edge’s typo protection can help avoid these pitfalls.
Though not a new tactic, tech support scams have become more sophisticated with the integration of AI. These scams often involve cybercriminals pretending to be from well-known companies and tricking individuals into granting remote access to their devices.
In April 2024, Microsoft Threat Intelligence revealed that a cybercriminal group known as Storm-1811 exploited the Windows Quick Assist feature by impersonating IT support agents.
Through voice phishing and social engineering, they convinced victims to hand over control of their devices, allowing for data theft and malware installation.
AI further enhances these tactics by automating reconnaissance and crafting highly believable communication. To counteract this threat, experts advise implementing Zero Trust security principles and educating employees to avoid unsolicited tech support interactions.
“As Nigeria’s digital economy grows, the rise in AI-driven scams reminds us that vigilance, education, and robust security measures are essential,” Williams said.
“By understanding these threats and empowering ourselves with knowledge, we can create a safer digital world for all.”
With the country on the path to becoming a continental tech hub, cyber resilience will be crucial to sustaining this momentum.
While AI holds the potential to accelerate growth and innovation, Nigeria must act decisively to ensure that its digital future is both secure and inclusiv
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