Fraud and policy violations are just some of the internal security threats that are expected to be more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa next year than any other region. It’s also at the forefront of a number of factors that contribute to intentional insider threats, like financial dissatisfaction.
Sub-Saharan Africa tops global concerns for internal fraud and policy violations
- Landmark research on physical security gauged opinions of 2,352 security chiefs at medium and large, global companies with combined revenue exceeding $25 trillion
- Fraud at 39% is the number one internal threat anticipated by security chiefs in the region
- More security chiefs than anywhere else (52%) say that misinformation or external radicalisation influences intentional insider threats
Fraud and policy violations are just some of the internal security threats that are expected to be more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa next year than any other region. It’s also at the forefront of a number of factors that contribute to intentional insider threats, like financial dissatisfaction.
Fraud at 39% is the number one internal threat anticipated by security chiefs in the region (27% global average); policy violations (36%), leaking sensitive information (35%) and misuse of company resources or data (34%) follow and are also predicted to be higher than any other region.
A greater number of security chiefs in the region than any other (52%) go on to say that misinformation or external radicalisation influences intentional insider threats (39% global average). The same is true of other factors such as financial dissatisfaction (low pay), financial stress and poor working conditions.
Meanwhile, external fraud is expected to impact more companies in Sub-Saharan Africa next year than any other region at 40% (30% global average).
These are key findings from the World Security Report, commissioned by Allied Universal®, the world’s leading security and facility services provider and its international business, G4S.
2,352 chief security officers (CSOs) in 31 countries at medium and large, global companies with total revenue exceeding $25 trillion took part in the research. A total of 174 security chiefs in Sub-Saharan Africa were surveyed from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The report also incorporates the crucial perspectives of 200 global institutional investors managing over $1 trillion in assets.
Consistent with the 2023 findings, fraud is the dominating internal and external threat across the region which can be tied back to economic pressures. Despite these challenges, there are plenty of opportunities across the region and it is encouraging to see the planned investment in smart security infrastructure and AI-powered video surveillance.
A third of security chiefs in Sub-Saharan Africa (33%) say the threat of violence toward executives has increased in the last two years. When it comes to mitigating this threat, security chiefs are far more proactive than in any other region; the most common measure is carrying out enhanced security procedures at 62%, such as enhanced background checks (49% global average). Second is training and preparedness for leaders such as self-defence at 61% (40% global average) and monitoring online threats at 60% (44% global average) third.
This escalating risk is underscored by global institutional investors, with 97% deeming it important for companies to invest in security for their executives.
Security budgets are expected to increase far more in Sub-Saharan Africa than any other region in the world next year at 81% (66% global average). Their top budget priority is investment in new security technology and infrastructure at 71% which is also dramatically higher than all other regions (47% global average).
“The ramifications of a security incident can be considerable and go beyond taking a short-term financial hit. Investors say the impact can be much more damaging and long-lasting, particularly when reputation and shareholder value is concerned. Given how high the stakes are, business leaders are increasingly recognizing that robust physical security is a corporate value driver and should be central to their corporate governance and risk management strategy,” said Ashley Almanza, executive chairman of G4S, Allied Universal’s international business.
Additional Key Findings for Sub-Saharan Africa:
Security-impacting hazards
- 42% say climate change will be a security-impacting hazard next year (33% global average) which is higher than any other region.
- 43% say the same about economic instability (44% global average).
- 77% say geopolitical tension will compromise the security of their supply chain over the next 12 months (78% global average)
Mis- and disinformation
- 74% have been targeted by a misinformation/disinformation campaign in the last 12 months (73% global average).
- 43% say that mis/disinformation motivates at least half of threat actors targeting their businesses (41% global average) which is the second highest rate in the world.
- 78% say activist groups increasingly pose a physical security risk to corporate facilities and executives (77% global average)
Cutting edge security technologies
- 58% say smart security infrastructure for buildings and public spaces is crucial for their operations over the next two years (38% global average), higher than any other region.
- 52% say biometric access control including facial recognition (40% global average), higher than any other region.
- 52% say AI-powered video surveillance and analytics (45% global average), higher than any other region.
Impacts of security incidents in the last 12 months
- 33% said repairs to damaged property (22% global average) which is higher than any other region.
- 29% said business interruption costs (20% global average) which is higher than any other region.
- 28% said investigation costs (22% global average) which is higher than any other region.
Media contacts:
G4S
Phone: +44(0) 207 963 3333
Email: media@g4s.com
About the 2025 World Security Report
The report is based on an anonymous online survey responses from 2,352 chief security officers - or those in equivalent positions - at medium and large, global companies across 31 countries with combined annual revenue of more than $25 trillion. Research was carried out between March 21 and April 16 2025. The process was rigorous and respondents were screened against strict criteria, including time taken to complete the survey and a number of other quality assurance checks.
200 global institutional investors with more than $1 trillion of assets under management also took part in an anonymous online survey between April 8 and 14 2025.
https://worldsecurityreport.com/