As payments across Africa move digital, the risks move with them. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and African businesses are increasingly in their sights. The good news is that protecting your business does not require a dedicated security team — it requires the right habits and the right tools. Here is what every African SME should know. The Threats You Are Most Likely to Face Phishing involves emails or messages designed to look legitimate, usually creating a sense of urgency to get you to click a link or hand over login credentials. These attacks are more convincing than they used to be — and harder to spot at a glance. Malware is malicious software hidden in downloads or email attachments that quietly compromises your systems or data, often without any visible sign that something is wrong. Social engineering is when fraudsters impersonate colleagues, suppliers, or banks to trick your team into sharing sensitive information or approving payments they should not. It is less technical than other attacks — and often more effective precisely because it exploits trust rather than technology. Why African Businesses Are Being Targeted Africa's digital payments landscape is growing fast. High mobile adoption, rapid fintech uptake, and inconsistent cybersecurity awareness across organisations make businesses attractive targets. If you are moving money online, you need to be thinking about who else might want to move it — and what stands between them and your accounts. The Basics That Go a Long Way Strong passwords. Use passphrases rather than simple words or names. Length and randomness matter more than complex symbols, and no password should be reused across accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA). A second verification step means that even if someone obtains your password, they still cannot access your account. Turn it on everywhere it is available — especially for payment platforms and financial tools. Healthy scepticism. If a message feels urgent, unexpected, or slightly off, pause before clicking anything. Most fraud starts with a moment of rushed action that felt routine at the time. Secure networks. Avoid processing payments or accessing financial systems on public or shared Wi-Fi. Use a VPN if your team works remotely or from multiple locations. Steps to Take as a Business Train your team regularly. Your employees are your first line of defence. Make sure they know how to spot phishing attempts, understand what to do if something looks suspicious, and feel comfortable raising concerns without hesitation. One wrong click can undo a lot of careful work. Put clear policies in place. Define how payments are approved, which devices can be used for company transactions, and who has access to sensitive financial data. Review permissions regularly and remove access when it is no longer needed — particularly when team members change roles or leave. Keep your tools updated. Outdated software is one of the most common e