Cybercrime and Cybersecurity in Sub-Saharan African Economies

Abstract

The advanced nature and falling costs of information and communications technologies (ICTs) have fuelled rapid digitization of economies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The Internet has helped realize a fundamental transformation in the continent’s economic, political and social lives. Especially impressive have been the digitization’s benefits to disadvantaged consumers, such as those without bank accounts or the lack of electricity access. Major drivers of the continent’s digitization include the newly launched submarine cables in East and West Africa and the rapid diffusion of mobile phones.