As Africa continues its rapid digital leap, the continent's cybersecurity posture is entering a new era. Much of the conversation remains focused on known threats such as ransomware and phishing, but real strategic advantage lies in anticipating the next wave of vulnerabilities - the ones few are talking about. This article explores six cybersecurity trends that are set to shape Africa's digital resilience in 2026, drawing attention to overlooked risk factors and what IT leaders can do about them.

1. AI-Generated Deepfakes: Disinformation at Scale

Deepfake technology is maturing, and it's moving faster than most realise. With the widespread use of social media and encrypted messaging platforms, AI-generated videos and audio clips impersonating public figures could become potent tools for social engineering, political manipulation, and corporate fraud.

In regions like Nigeria and Kenya, where digital news consumption outpaces traditional media, the consequences could be far-reaching.

Strategic Response:

• Adopt AI-based deepfake detection tools.
• Integrate media verification protocols within critical communications.
• Educate stakeholders through training initiatives.

2. IoT: The Expanding Threat Perimeter

Africa is embracing smart agriculture, urban infrastructure, and wearable health tech at a scale that’s often decentralised and under-secured. Most IoT devices still ship with default credentials and lack secure firmware, making them easy entry points for botnets or data exfiltration.

Strategic Response:

• Enforce security baselines for IoT procurement.
• Segment networks to isolate critical systems from consumer devices.
• Leverage Vulnerability Management services to scan and harden IoT endpoints.

3. Legacy System Exploits: Technical Debt as a Risk

Legacy infrastructure is still prevalent across many African banks, universities, and government agencies. These systems - often not designed for an internet-connected world - are ripe targets for attackers leveraging known exploits.

Strategic Response:

• Conduct regular assessments to identify unsupported technologies.
• Transition to modern platforms via System Modernisation engagements.
• Prioritise threat modelling exercises.

4. Biometric Data Breaches: Irreversible Identity Theft

As mobile banking and national ID schemes adopt biometrics, the risk profile intensifies. Unlike passwords, biometric data cannot be changed if compromised.

Strategic Response:

• Encrypt biometric data at rest and in transit.
• Implement multifactor authentication alongside biometrics.
• Use products like JumpCloud to federate and secure identity management.

5. Satellite Internet Vulnerabilities

With Starlink and other providers expanding across rural and underserved areas, satellite internet is set to transform connectivity. However, many African states lack regulatory frameworks or local expertise to secure these new communication pathways.

Strategic Response:

• Implement end-to-end encryption on satellite-linked endpoints.
• Include satellite security in Cloud Architecture Reviews.
• Develop incident response plans for satellite infrastructure.

6. Supply Chain Cyber Risk: The Hidden Attack Vector

African enterprises are increasingly integrated into global supply chains. Whether through cloud vendors, logistics providers or remote developers, any weak link can be a breach vector.

Strategic Response:

• Establish vendor cybersecurity assessments as standard practice.
• Review SLAs to include security obligations.
• Leverage Cloud Native Infrastructure Engineering to build resilient, auditable systems.

What’s clear from these trends is that cybersecurity is no longer just about defence - it’s about foresight. Africa has the opportunity to build resilience by embedding security thinking into every stage of digital development.

Forward-looking IT leaders should invest in education, adopt frameworks like Zero Trust, and partner with experienced advisors to stay ahead. At Deimos, we work closely with organisations to proactively manage these risks through Cloud Security, Cost Optimisation, and Cloud Readiness Assessments.

Ready to assess your organisation’s exposure to emerging cyber threats? Click here to speak with a Deimos cybersecurity expert.