en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mastercard has launched the Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in South Africa, a pan-African initiative aimed at strengthening cyber resilience across the continent.

The announcement was made during a visit by Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach to South Africa and Nigeria, and was endorsed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The company stated that the center is not a physical entity but operates as a pan-African hub delivered through interconnected digital platforms and capabilities.

The multi-year program will begin phased rollout in 2026, starting with South Africa and Nigeria. Mastercard said the center, through a collective model, aims to support enhanced cyber resilience and preparedness, and drive safer digital growth in Africa. The company did not disclose the amount invested in the program.

Data from SOCRadar shows that South Africa is the most targeted market on the continent, accounting for approximately 29% of ransomware attacks and 40% of phishing incidents in Africa; Nigeria ranks among the most affected markets for ransomware and dark web threat activities. The center aims to help participating organizations gain deeper insights into emerging threats, including ecosystem cyber risk analysis covering up to 50 organizations in the first year, and access to Africa-focused threat intelligence feeds developed by Recorded Future, a Mastercard-owned company.

Miebach stated that without trust, the digital future cannot be scaled, making cybersecurity foundational to driving economic resilience and growth across the continent. He added that by more effectively connecting public and private sector efforts and sharing best practices, collective defenses can be strengthened to ensure a more inclusive digital economy.

Mastercard said the Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence was established to support strengthening the continent's collective defenses by bringing together financial institutions, public sector organizations, and enterprises to share intelligence, improve preparedness, anticipate threats earlier, and build resilience over time. The program follows commitments made during recent discussions with the Nigerian government in Abuja and with the South African government during the G20 meetings in Johannesburg last year, to enhance cybersecurity efforts in Africa. The company has invested over $12.6 billion in cybersecurity innovation since 2018, but did not disclose specific investments in Africa. The cybersecurity center is seen as a step in Mastercard's transformation from a payment network to a trusted technology and cyber intelligence partner.