(3 Minutes Read)
A new global survey reveals that 60% of business and technology executives — including leaders across Africa’s fast-growing digital economies — are significantly increasing their cybersecurity investments as geopolitical instability and disruptive technologies amplify the risk of major cyberattacks. The shift marks a decisive turn in corporate strategy, placing cybersecurity at the core of boardroom priorities for 2026 alongside revenue growth, capital allocation, and operational resilience.
The findings, published in PwC’s 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights survey, draw on responses from 3,887 senior executives in 72 countries. The report highlights a world where fragile geopolitical alliances, intensifying trade frictions, and weakened international cooperation are reshaping business strategies. Companies globally — and increasingly across Africa — now face more sophisticated, cross-border cyber threats that demand far more advanced, forward-looking responses.
For African organisations, many of which are rapidly digitalising financial services, telecommunications, logistics, and public infrastructure, the implications are significant. The continent’s accelerating digital transformation has expanded both opportunity and exposure, making cybersecurity not just a technical requirement but a strategic economic and national-development imperative.
According to PwC, organisations worldwide are not simply increasing cyber budgets — they are rethinking operational structures altogether. About 41% of surveyed companies are reconsidering where their critical digital infrastructure is located to minimise geopolitical exposure. Another 39% are adjusting trade and operational policies to mitigate geopolitical risks, while a further 39% are reassessing cyber-insurance strategies in the face of surging premiums and stricter underwriting demands.
Yet despite rising investments, the survey warns that many companies remain dangerously underprepared. Nearly half of respondents say they are only “somewhat capable” of defending against targeted cyberattacks, and just 6% are fully confident in managing vulnerabilities across all areas assessed. For African firms — many of which face resource constraints, infrastructure gaps, and talent shortages — this readiness gap is even more acute.
Current spending patterns show persistent weaknesses. Only 24% of organisations are investing substantially more in proactive defence measures such as continuous monitoring, penetration testing, and advanced cyber-controls — techniques experts regard as essential for true resilience. Meanwhile,67%continue to split budgets almost evenly between proactive and reactive responses, a balance PwC warns leaves organisations exposed to avoidable threats.
Emerging technologies present both promise and peril. AI-powered defensive tools and automation are gaining traction, with many companies planning to deploy agentic AI for cloud security, data protection, and real-time threat response within a year. However, preparedness for quantum-enabled cyber threats remains extremely low: fewer than 10% prioritise quantum readiness, and only 3% have adopted quantum-resistant protocols. In Africa, where most organisations are still strengthening foundational controls, quantum readiness remains largely aspirational.
The global cybersecurity talent shortage further compounds risk. African governments and companies — already contending with a limited pool of specialised cyber professionals — are increasingly turning to automation, AI-driven tools, and outsourced managed services. More than half of global respondents (53%) report relying on such solutions to bridge capability gaps, a trend mirrored in African markets where demand for cyber expertise far exceeds supply.
Read Also;
PwC concludes that while rising cyber investments signal real progress, a fundamental shift is required. Organisations must move beyond fragmented or reactive security tactics and adopt holistic digital-trust strategies capable of withstanding modern geopolitical and technological pressures. The organisations that thrive, the report notes, will be those building future-ready security architectures anchored in proactive defence, resilient talent ecosystems, and long-term planning for emerging technologies.
For Africa — where digital transformation is reshaping economies, expanding financial inclusion, and opening new industries — getting cybersecurity right is not optional. It is the foundation for sustaining growth, securing trust, and safeguarding the continent’s digital future.
