A Troubling Report for East Africa
A new Global Fraud Index paints a worrying picture for the region. Three major East African economies — Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda — have been ranked among the world’s weakest in protecting citizens from fraud.
The findings arrive at a crucial time when these countries are rapidly expanding digital services — from mobile money to fintech innovations — yet lack the security infrastructure to match that growth.
Poor Rankings Reflect Systemic Challenges
According to the 2025 Global Fraud Index, produced by Sumsub and Statista, Tanzania placed 108th, Uganda 107th, and Rwanda 105th out of 112 countries. Ethiopia also ranked near the bottom.
Meanwhile, Mauritius emerged as Africa’s best performer, ranking 22nd globally, proving that effective anti-fraud systems are achievable within the continent.
Africa’s High Fraud Vulnerability
Africa’s average fraud exposure score sits at 3.84, compared to the global average of 2.79.
This means businesses and citizens face a higher risk of scams, digital theft, and financial manipulation.
“Fraud is evolving faster than many national systems can respond,” said Hannes Bezuidenhout, Vice President for Africa at Sumsub.
“Africa’s digital acceleration brings opportunities, but also exposes major weaknesses in protection.”
Where the Weak Spots Are
The report identifies several key vulnerabilities:
- Limited fraud-detection systems
- Weak enforcement of anti-fraud laws
- Poor coordination among banks, telecoms, and regulators
- Low public digital literacy
- Lack of regional cooperation on cybercrime
These weaknesses leave large gaps that fraudsters continue to exploit, especially in mobile-money and online payment systems.
Experts Urge Swift Action
Uganda’s Financial Technology Service Providers Association (FITSPA) described the findings as a wake-up call.
“This report should drive collaboration between regulators, fintechs, and banks,” said George Wilson Ssenkande, FITSPA’s membership and programmes lead.
Experts are calling for governments to invest in digital monitoring infrastructure, enhance data sharing, and train enforcement officers to respond to digital fraud.
What the Best Countries Are Doing Right
Other nations offer examples worth studying. Morocco improved its ranking by 27 places through better regulations and stronger fraud detection.
Globally, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and the Netherlands topped the list thanks to unified digital ID systems and real-time fraud tracking networks.
The Road Ahead for East Africa
To strengthen fraud protection, analysts recommend that East African countries:
- Upgrade their digital security infrastructure.
- Build unified, cross-border fraud databases.
- Train regulators and investigators.
- Launch public awareness campaigns.
- Partner with fintechs to deploy AI-driven fraud detection tools.
Fraud prevention isn’t just about technology — it’s about trust.
For East Africa to thrive digitally, strong protection must accompany innovation.