Botswana has recorded the lowest suspected digital fraud rate in Africa according to the findings from TransUnions H1 2026 update. However fraudsters are already changing tactics. The Frauds Trends Report update by the organization found out that among all the African countries analysed in 2025, they were 0.9 percent of transaction attempts involving consumers which were suspected to be digital fraud in Botswana.
This is below the global average of 3.8 percent and represents the lowest rate among the African countries analyzed. However, according to the report, despite this Year-over-Year(YoY) decline in suspected digital fraud for Botswana and globally, fraudsters continue to adapt by turning to high-trust, scam-based tactics that can by-pass traditional safeguards.
‘Botswana has not experienced widespread fraud, but the nature of fraud risk is beginning to shift. As digital services become more formal and widely trusted, fraudsters are increasingly targeting these environments,’
‘This is a natural stage of digital growth and highlights the need to strengthen protections as confidence in digital services expand,’ said Amrit Reddy, Senior Director of Fraud Product Management at TransUnion Africa.
The report suggests that digital fraud risk is highest at account creation in Botswana. Despite the fact that suspected fraud rates appear lower compared to 2024, risk remains elevated at specific points in the consumer life cycle, particularly where criminals attempt to create or manipulate identities in Botswana. The highest rate of suspected digital fraud in 2025 across the consumer life cycle occurred at account creation(2.6 percent), followed by account login(0.8 percent) and during financial transactions (0.5 percent).
In addition, Botswana’s fraud profile reflects an early – to -mid stage digital market where onboarding and account creation remain the primary points of exposure. According to the report, this mirrors broader global and Africa-wide trends in markets where digital identity systems are still evolving.
‘Experience from other countries shows that the phase does not last indefinitely. As consumers build longer term digital relationships with banks, retailers and service providers, fraud risk tends to move beyond onboarding toward login and account access, often through impersonation or credentials misuse,’ said Reddy.
‘The key takeaway for Botswana is timing. Strengthening onboarding and early-stage identity checks can help prevent more complex fraud patterns emerging as digital adoption accelerates. Early safeguards can make a meaningful difference as the digital ecosystem matures,’ she added.
Across Africa, suspected digital fraud risk varies by industry, reflecting local user behaviour and where criminals see opportunities. For attempted transactions involving consumers in Botswana, retail recorded the highest suspected digital fraud attempt rate in 2025 at 1.9 percent, followed by Gaming(online sports betting, poker etc) at 1.8 percent and financial services at 1.1 percent.
As fraud tactics evolve, TransUnion has advised consumers to help reduce their risk by safeguarding personal information, remaining cautious of unsolicited calls and messages and regularly reviewing their credit information for suspicious activity. Organizations have also been advised to ensure that their fraud strategies extend beyond compliance to actively protect trust across the entire consumer lifestyle, particularly account creation at points where criminals attempt to exploit established relationships through scams and impersonation.
‘Botswana has the advantage of foresight. The global fraud playbook is already written. The opportunity now is to act before the next phase arrives,’ cautioned Reddy.
TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13 000 associates operating in more than 30 countries and territories including, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia.