Africa’s industrial sectors have been urged to upgrade cyber defences as the region faces rising digital risks. With the continent’s cybersecurity market valued at about $0.68bn in 2025 and projected to reach $1.44bn by 2031, experts say cybersecurity is no longer a back-office information technology issue; it is critical economic infrastructure.

The Country Sales Director for Process Automation and Software at Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa, Elijah Daniel, explained one of the most common weaknesses exploited by attackers.

“One of the biggest cybersecurity gaps we see is the lack of segmentation between IT and operational technology networks. A compromised email, a malicious file, or an infected USB device can become a bridge from IT systems into OT environments where critical production processes are controlled,” the executive said in a note shared with The PUNCH.

Oil and gas, mining, and power generation remain the most exposed sectors in sub-Saharan Africa, largely due to the continued use of end-of-life distributed control systems and safety instrumented systems. From upstream production to liquefied natural gas processing, oil and gas operations are prime targets for financially motivated attackers and disruption campaigns. Mining operations face similar exposure, where ageing control architectures remain embedded in daily processes, while power plants operating within evolving grid environments face increasing cyber risk.

Modern threats are no longer limited to isolated hackers. Contemporary risks include ransomware targeting energy systems, supply chain attacks exploiting global dependencies, advanced persistent threats from state-sponsored actors, and artificial intelligence-driven attack strategies. The threat landscape has evolved, but many systems have not.

Operational philosophy also contributes to vulnerability. Many industrial facilities still operate with a run-to-failure mindset, where systems are maintained only when breakdowns occur. While this may appear cost-efficient, functionality does not equal security. Legacy systems can remain operational while lacking security patches, vendor support, and modern detection capabilities. These environments are actively targeted by attackers.

Daniel noted, “If a system is working, it does not necessarily mean it is secure. Many operational systems are still running on end-of-life platforms that hackers actively target.”

Weak governance further increases exposure. Poor access management, weak credential controls, and limited cybersecurity oversight create avoidable entry points. Awareness across the continent is improving, but the speed of response must match the sophistication of the threat.

The transition from Security Level 2 to Security Level 3 represents a significant shift in defence posture. Security Level 2 protects against basic threat actors, while Security Level 3 is designed to withstand organised attackers capable of executing complex ransomware campaigns. For plant leadership, this transition is not only technical but also strategic.

As Daniel noted, “Moving from Security Level 2 to Security Level 3 helps protect large industrial investments and reduces potential legal and financial liability in the event of a breach.” In capital-intensive sectors, stronger cybersecurity certification signals responsible risk management and builds stakeholder confidence.

Process safety systems such as Triconex are designed to halt operations when abnormal conditions threaten catastrophic failure. However, safety systems themselves must be protected. Daniel explained the risk directly: “If cybersecurity is not properly implemented, a hacker could potentially interfere with safety system responses during critical events. Cybersecurity is the gate that protects the functionality and continuity of industrial processes.”

Across sub-Saharan Africa, Schneider Electric integrates cybersecurity into automation and operational technology environments through secure architecture design, network segmentation, continuous monitoring, endpoint protection, and lifecycle security management. Its industrial Internet of Things platform, EcoStruxure, brings together connectivity, automation, and cybersecurity in a unified environment that enables operational efficiency while maintaining security visibility and control.

Africa remains in the early stages of industrial cybersecurity maturity compared to more developed markets, but this position presents a critical opportunity. Cybersecurity should be treated as a foundational component of industrial modernisation rather than a supplementary feature.

The financial impact of poorly secured critical infrastructure can reach millions of dollars through operational downtime, ransom payments, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Protecting industrial systems ultimately protects economic output.