• Namibia recorded 1.7 million cyberattacks in 2025, up 37% year-on-year.

• Authorities identified over 2.23 million vulnerabilities enabling attacks.

• Government allocated $1 million to cybersecurity for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.

Namibia recorded 1.7 million cyberattacks between January and December 2025, marking an increase of about 37% compared with the previous year, according to official data. The findings come from the “Namibia Cybersecurity Landscape Report 2025.”

The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) housed at CRAN, released it’s annual Namibia Cybersecurity Landscape Report 2025.

Highlighting the national and international landscapes, in this edition, NAM-CSIRT draws the spotlight on the secured electronic… pic.twitter.com/1Qe7FtjalG

— CRAN (@CRANamibia) April 11, 2026

The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) published the report on Friday, April 11. The report states that authorities identified 2,231,970 vulnerabilities during the year. These weaknesses directly enabled cyber incidents, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, malware propagation, and unauthorized remote access.

The report highlights a shift toward large-scale exploitation of trust, as attackers increasingly use social engineering and artificial intelligence-assisted deception.

During the first quarter, attackers deployed AI-generated deepfake campaigns to promote fraudulent investment schemes. By mid-year, phishing attacks via Telegram and other social engineering methods remained widespread.

The report also identifies the emergence of ransomware attacks at the municipal level, using double extortion techniques. In addition, attackers launched smishing campaigns that mimicked delivery services and circulated deepfake videos featuring senior officials. These trends illustrate a more structured fraud ecosystem fueled by AI-driven disinformation.

A global and continental trend

This increase in cyber fraud reflects broader global and African trends. In its “Cybercrime Africa Cyberthreat Assessment 2025,” Interpol states that the expansion of online activity is accelerating cybercrime across the continent.

Interpol states that “cybercriminals constantly refine their tactics, using social engineering, artificial intelligence and instant messaging platforms to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. Cybercriminal networks, whether local or international, exploit human vulnerabilities as a primary method, using advanced deception techniques to target organizations and individuals.”

Measures to secure Namibia’s digital future

NAM-CSIRT emphasizes that the rollout of digital identity systems, the expansion of digital services, and the growth of infrastructure are increasing the urgency of integrating cybersecurity into national development. The agency calls for a comprehensive approach involving government, regulators, critical sectors, businesses, academia, and citizens to maintain digital trust and ensure service continuity.

The “Namibia Cybersecurity Landscape Report 2025” recommends finalizing legal frameworks covering cybercrime, data protection, and critical infrastructure. The report also calls for strengthening NAM-CSIRT’s capacity to improve monitoring, detection, and incident coordination.

In addition, the report recommends establishing sector-specific CSIRTs in key industries and reducing critical vulnerabilities such as outdated and poorly secured systems. It urges authorities to accelerate the deployment of digital identity and trust services.

The report calls on authorities to mandate multi-factor authentication, increase awareness of threats such as phishing and deepfakes, and improve cyber threat information sharing. Finally, the document emphasizes strengthening cyber governance through international standards and increasing support for small and medium-sized enterprises and resource-constrained public institutions.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum