- Tether and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime launched a partnership to boost cybersecurity and public education on digital assets in Africa.
- The initiative includes youth cybersecurity training in Senegal and support for anti-trafficking organizations across several African countries.
- Interpol recently uncovered about $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat funds linked to financial crime in Africa.
Tether, a global cryptocurrency company, announced on Friday, January 9, 2026, a collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen cybersecurity and public education around digital assets in Africa.
The initiative comes as cryptocurrency adoption accelerates across the continent, increasing user exposure to fraud and financial crime.
Tether and the United Nations Join Forces to Safeguard Africa’s Digital Economy
— Tether (@tether) January 9, 2026
Learn more: https://t.co/qKyZLH8j63
“Through this collaboration, we can advance digital inclusion, strengthen digital skills and youth employability, promote secure and transparent digital ecosystems, and harness innovation to prevent organized crime while fostering 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 focuses on youth cybersecurity education. The program provides multi-phase training that includes sessions conducted with the Plan B Foundation, which emerged from a collaboration between Tether and the city of Lugano. The initiative also offers coaching and mentoring 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. At the same time, the initiative strengthens awareness of online financial risks.
The alliance takes shape amid rapid growth in digital asset use across Africa.
The continent now ranks as the world’s third-fastest-growing cryptocurrency market. However, this expansion also brings rising vulnerabilities.
A recent Interpol-coordinated operation uncovered nearly $260 million in cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies linked to illicit activities across multiple African countries.
Over the longer term, the partnership could strengthen trust in digital assets, support financial inclusion, and improve African states’ capacity to prevent financial crime.
The initiative also aims to support 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
