Mastercard Launches African Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in South Africa
Mastercard has unveiled the African Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, a pan-African initiative aimed at enhancing cyber resilience across the continent. The announcement coincided with CEO Michael Miebach’s visit to South Africa and Nigeria, receiving endorsements from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This center will not have a physical presence; instead, it will function as a pan-African hub supported by connected digital platforms and capabilities, according to Mastercard. The center is part of a multi-year plan that will roll out in phases, beginning in 2026 with South Africa and Nigeria as the inaugural markets.
Through this collaborative approach, Mastercard aims to bolster cyber resilience and preparedness, facilitating secure digital growth across Africa. While the company did not disclose the investment amount dedicated to this initiative, its implications for the continent could be significant.
Africa’s Cyber Threat Landscape
Data from SOCRadar reveals that South Africa is currently the most targeted nation in Africa for cyberattacks, accounting for approximately 29% of the continent’s ransomware incidents and 40% of phishing activities. Nigeria also remains highly susceptible to ransomware and dark web threats, further underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
The Mastercard Center is specifically designed to equip participating organizations with increased visibility into emerging threats. This includes providing a year of ecosystem cyber risk analysis for up to 50 organizations, along with access to Africa-focused threat intelligence developed by Recorded Future, a Mastercard subsidiary.
Michael Miebach emphasized the necessity of trust in fostering Africa’s burgeoning digital economy. He stated that without a secure environment, users would hesitate to engage with digital platforms, making cybersecurity a cornerstone of economic resilience and growth. Miebach advocates for stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to enhance collective security and foster a more inclusive digital landscape.
Mastercard’s Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence aims to strengthen collective defense by uniting financial institutions, public sector organizations, and private enterprises. The initiative encourages intelligence sharing and aims to improve readiness, predict threats, and develop long-term resilience across the continent.
This move aligns with discussions held between Mastercard and representatives from both the Nigerian and South African governments, following commitments made during the G20 meeting in Johannesburg to bolster cybersecurity efforts in Africa.
Since 2018, Mastercard has invested over $12.6 billion in cybersecurity innovation; however, the company has yet to specify how much of this investment has been allocated to projects in Africa. The Cybersecurity Center marks a pivotal shift in Mastercard’s identity, evolving from a traditional payment network to a trusted partner in technology and cyber intelligence.
