by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AFRICA’S dependence on Europe as its largest trading partner makes its supply chains especially vulnerable to cyber attacks.
This is according to the 2025 Check Point Research Manufacturing Report, which places the manufacturing sector as the most targeted.
Manufacturing faces an average of 1 585 weekly attacks per organisation, a 30-percent year-over-year increase.
In the last four weeks, Africa’s industrial and manufacturing entities experienced an average of 1 872 attacks weekly.
Ransomware remains the dominant threat, with incidents costing hundreds of millions in losses and in some cases forcing insolvency, according to Check Point.
“Attackers know that every hour of halted production can cost millions,” said Lorna Hardie, Regional Director: Africa, Check Point Software Technologies.
“That’s why ransomware groups view manufacturers as prime targets: they don’t need to steal sensitive customer data when they can simply shut down operations and demand payment.”
Meanwhile, Europe’s recent Network and Information Security (NIS2) directive sets stringent requirements for member states and critical sectors to protect essential services and infrastructure against cyber threats.
NIS2 requires European Union (EU) member states and businesses in critical or essential sectors to implement stronger cyber security measures and report incidents to enhance cyber resilience.
“African businesses must act now to comply with the EU’s NIS2 Directive or risk losing valuable revenue streams through their European trading partners,” Hardie said.
– CAJ News