• Tether partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen digital asset cybersecurity and public education in Africa.

• The initiative includes youth cybersecurity training in Senegal and support for civil society groups across several African countries.

• Rapid crypto adoption in Africa has increased exposure to financial crime, with recent seizures totaling about $260 million.

Tether, a global cryptocurrency company, announced on Friday, January 9, a partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen cybersecurity and public education around digital assets in Africa. The initiative responds to the rapid growth of cryptocurrency adoption on the continent, which has increased user exposure to fraud and financial crime.

“Through this collaboration, we can advance digital inclusion, strengthen digital skills and youth employability, promote secure and transparent digital ecosystems, and leverage innovation to prevent organized crime while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” said Sylvie Bertrand, UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa.

The partnership includes several targeted projects. In Senegal, the initiative will focus on youth cybersecurity education through multi-phase training programs. These programs will include sessions delivered with the Plan B Foundation, which emerged from collaboration between Tether and the city of Lugano, as well as coaching and mentorship to support the development of secure digital projects.

At the continental level, the program also supports civil society organizations that assist victims of human trafficking in countries including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda. The initiative simultaneously strengthens awareness of online financial risks among vulnerable populations.

The alliance operates against the backdrop of rapidly expanding digital asset usage in Africa. The continent now ranks as the world’s third-fastest-growing cryptocurrency market. This expansion has coincided with rising vulnerabilities, as a recent Interpol-coordinated operation uncovered nearly $260 million in cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies linked to illicit activities across several African countries.

Over the longer term, the partnership aims to strengthen trust in digital assets, support financial inclusion, and enhance the capacity of African states to prevent financial crime. The initiative seeks to accompany safer and more sustainable growth of Africa’s digital economy.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum