Angola’s Largest Telco Breaches Just Before IPO, Leaving Customers in the Dark
Unitel, Angola’s dominant mobile operator, is still reeling from a cyberattack that crippled its services just hours before the company’s initial public offering (IPO). The attack, which occurred on July 28, caused widespread outages across Unitel’s networks, leaving customers without access to essential digital services. The incident has raised concerns about the security of Africa’s mobile infrastructure and the potential consequences for businesses and consumers who rely heavily on mobile networking.
The cyberattack against Unitel was a deliberate and malicious attempt to disrupt its technological infrastructure. According to reports, the attack began at 2:20 am on July 28, just as the company was preparing for its IPO. The outage affected not only Unitel’s customers but also several digital services that rely on its networks, including popular financial services such as Multicaixa Express.
The impact of the cyberattack has been significant, with customers in Luanda forced to turn to cash due to the disruption of financial services. Business owners and individuals who depend on mobile networking for their daily operations are particularly vulnerable to these types of attacks. In 2025, Multicaixa Express accounted for a staggering 62% of financial transactions over networks, making it clear that the consequences of such disruptions can be far-reaching.
The restoration of Unitel’s services is ongoing, with the company reporting progress in restoring 2G and 3G service on July 30 and SMS service on July 31. However, its 4G and 5G services, as well as some digital services, continue to experience problems. The incident highlights the need for telecom operators in Africa to prioritize cybersecurity measures and invest in robust security infrastructure.
The Unitel breach is not an isolated incident. In recent years, several major telecom providers in Africa have fallen victim to cyberattacks, including MTN Group and Telecom Namibia. These incidents demonstrate that mobile operators are vulnerable to sophisticated attacks, and the consequences can be severe if they fail to prepare adequately.
Kevin Cardwell, chief information officer at Cybastion, a digital services and cybersecurity provider, believes that African countries must identify their high-risk areas and mitigate them to minimize the impact of cyberattacks. “You need an entire process, one that starts with evaluating your network and knowing where your risk areas are,” he says.
The Unitel breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in Africa’s mobile infrastructure. As more companies prepare for IPOs, they must prioritize security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring. By investing in robust security infrastructure and reducing their attack surfaces, telecom operators can minimize the damage caused by cyberattacks and ensure business continuity.
Ultimately, the Unitel breach is a wake-up call for African countries to take cybersecurity seriously and invest in the necessary measures to protect their critical infrastructure. By doing so, they can reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring and maintain trust with their customers and investors.
Source: Dark Reading — 2026-08-05