Mali launches an online portal to report cyberattacks and scams 🇲🇱💻

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Victims of cyberattacks and online scams in Mali now have a new way to report them. ML-CERT, the country’s national computer emergency response team, has launched a web platform designed to make it easier to report digital threats and to access information on cybersecurity risks.

The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen national capacity to prevent, detect and respond to cyber incidents. It also comes as Malian authorities step up measures to better regulate information-system security.

Unveiled at the national cybersecurity days 🌐

The platform was officially presented at the fourth edition of the Journées nationales de la cybersécurité (JNC 2026), held in Bamako from 26 to 30 October under the theme “Artificial intelligence and cyberspace: new cybersecurity challenges”.

The event was organised by the AMRTP, Mali’s regulator for telecoms, information and communication technologies, and postal services. It brought together government officials, industry professionals, researchers and students.

With this tool, ML-CERT aims to make incident reporting easier and to improve the flow of information on cyber threats. Users will get an online channel to report attacks, along with resources to better understand digital risks.

A reinforced national framework 🛡️

The launch follows several government decisions aimed at giving cybersecurity in Mali a firmer structure. In February 2026, authorities adopted by decree the National Cybersecurity Strategy and its 2026-2030 action plan. The document rests on three priority areas and notably provides for better cybersecurity governance, stronger public awareness and improved protection against digital risks.

Building on that direction, the Council of Ministers adopted draft texts on 10 June 2026 to create the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) and to define how it will be organised and run. The agency is expected to coordinate responses to cyberattacks and help protect critical infrastructure and services.

The country is also investing in homegrown technical skills. In May 2025, the AMRTP and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) held a workshop on strengthening ML-CERT’s operational capacity. It assessed the centre’s maturity level, identified its technical and organisational needs, and outlined ways to improve its ability to prevent, detect and handle cybersecurity incidents.

Why users matter as much as systems 🎯

Still, stronger infrastructure and technical safeguards are not enough on their own. User behaviour is a weak point too, especially when it comes to the social engineering techniques cybercriminals rely on.

Attackers exploit trust, inattention or limited awareness of digital risks to get victims to hand over confidential information, click on fraudulent links or make payments.

In its 2025 report on cyber threats in Africa, INTERPOL notes that phishing campaigns are becoming more targeted and sophisticated. Fraudsters regularly impersonate public agencies and well-known companies. They also use social media and post fake job offers to lure victims.

INTERPOL’s recommendations: expand cybersecurity awareness campaigns, build the subject into school curricula and professional training, and make it easier to report suspicious activity.

Beyond technical protection 🧿

That human dimension is also stressed by Anna Collard, vice president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. In an analysis published by ITWeb Africa in January 2025, she described social engineering as a major threat because attackers target people’s psychological and behavioural weaknesses.

She argues that organisations need to go beyond technical defences and invest more in user training, so people can spot manipulation and fraud before they become victims.

With this platform and the measures launched since 2025, Mali is trying to build a more structured response to digital threats. Whether it works will also depend on users’ ability to recognise risks and report incidents quickly.

Do online reporting platforms really help protect internet users from the rising tide of scams and cyberattacks? Tell us what you think in the comments.