Cybercrime and Cybersecurity in Africa: Evaluation of Protection of Businesses under Cybercrime Legislations
Bukola Faturoti
School of Law - School of Law - University of Hertfordshire
Abstract
The last two decades have witnessed digital technology revolution. Technology has altered the traditional ways of doing business and other forms of social and political interactions. Internet is at the centre of various information communication technologies which transformed the commercial landscape. There has been an increase in internet usage in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria Senegal and South Africa in the last decade whereas usage has plateaued in advance economies. While internet technology has supported the growth of business and investment in Africa, it has also provided a breeding ground for criminal activities. This is further enhanced by poverty and high rate of employment. Like it happened in the early stages of internet development in developed economies, activities in the African cyberspace have been carried out without proper regulatory framework stipulating acceptable conducts or imposing punishment on offenders. Most countries have combated the menace of cybercrime through traditional criminal laws which later deemed inadequate. As a result, many countries in the continent are now initiating legislation to counter this menace. Understandably, while it might be quick to look at the continent as a source of cybercrime, the continent could also be an object of cyberattacks from other parts of the world. As more African corporations are integrating electronic commerce and other ICT technologies into their businesses, this paper will primarily concern itself with the protection of businesses under cybercrime focused legal frameworks in Africa. It will examine measures designed to deter financial crime and the duties imposed on financial institutions for execution of electronic transactions.
Keywords
Cybercrime, cybersecurity, businesses, Africa, Nigeria, South Africa
