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Mastercard has partnered with the governments of Nigeria and South Africa to strengthen cybersecurity across Africa through the launch of its Africa Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, as the continent’s digital economy continues to expand amid rising cyber threats.
According to the company, the multi-year initiative is designed to deepen collaboration among governments, financial institutions, and businesses to enhance cyber resilience and safeguard Africa’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.
Mastercard announced the initiative during a visit by its Chief Executive Officer, Michael Miebach, to Nigeria and South Africa. The programme builds on commitments made during recent engagements with the Nigerian government in Abuja and earlier discussions with South African officials at the G20 meetings in Johannesburg.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the partnership, emphasising the importance of secure digital infrastructure in supporting economic transformation and financial inclusion.
“As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, secure and trusted systems will remain essential to driving inclusion and sustainable growth. We welcome partnerships that strengthen our digital economy and build long-term resilience,” Tinubu said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also endorsed the initiative, noting that trust and security are fundamental to inclusive digitisation.
“We recognise that digital transformation can only be inclusive when it is secure and trusted. Mastercard has long been a valued partner to South Africa, and this Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence will help strengthen our collective ability to address evolving cyber threats,” Ramaphosa said.
Mastercard said the centre will begin a phased rollout in 2026, starting in Nigeria and South Africa before expanding to other African markets.
The centre will function as a pan-African hub, connecting organisations through digital platforms to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen cyber preparedness, and support coordinated responses to emerging threats.
Miebach said trust remains central to Africa’s digital future.
“Africa is dynamic, fast-growing, and well positioned to scale its digital future. But that growth depends on trust. Cybersecurity is foundational to economic resilience, and stronger public-private collaboration will be critical to building a secure and inclusive digital economy,” he said.
Mastercard noted that Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, underscoring the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity across the continent.
The company also highlighted the growing economic impact of cybercrime in Africa, noting that only about 35 per cent of cyber incidents are officially reported due to limited cyber maturity, weak detection capabilities, and reputational concerns.
According to Mastercard, South Africa accounts for approximately 29 per cent of ransomware attacks and 40 per cent of phishing incidents recorded across Africa, while Nigeria remains among the countries most affected by ransomware attacks and dark web-related threats.
In its first year, the initiative will conduct ecosystem-wide cyber risk assessments covering up to 50 organisations and provide participants with an Africa-focused threat intelligence feed developed by Recorded Future, a Mastercard company.
The centre will focus on three strategic pillars: threat intelligence and actionable insights, collaboration and knowledge sharing, and resilience through continuous risk monitoring, cyber readiness assessments, and scenario-based simulations.
Mastercard said it has invested more than $12.6 billion in cybersecurity innovation since 2018 and has supported the launch of over 20 cybersecurity-focused startups, reflecting its evolution from a payments network into a broader technology and cyber intelligence partner.
The company added that it will continue working with governments, financial institutions, enterprises, and small businesses to strengthen the secure digital infrastructure needed to support inclusive economic growth across Africa.
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