Tether Teams Up With UNODC to Fight Cybercrime and Human Trafficking Across Africa
Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin provider, has announced a new partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) aimed at strengthening cybersecurity awareness, digital asset safety, and anti-trafficking initiatives across Africa and other developing regions.
The collaboration, unveiled on Jan. 9, reinforces the UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Africa 2030 and expands Tether’s growing involvement in global digital safety efforts.
Africa’s Rapid Crypto Growth Highlights Security Challenges
Africa has emerged as the third-fastest-growing crypto region, driven by high mobile adoption, youth entrepreneurship, and widespread use of digital assets as an alternative to unstable local currencies. But this acceleration has also widened opportunities for scams, fraud, and cyber-enabled exploitation.
Interpol recently uncovered $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat activity across Africa, showing the urgent need for stronger digital protections. UNODC officials warn that without proactive education and security measures, the continent’s digital boom could leave millions exposed.
“Digital assets are reshaping how the world engages with money and play a vital role in unlocking Africa’s development potential,” said Sylvie Bertrand, UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa.
She added that secure digital ecosystems will be critical to supporting government-led initiatives like Senegal’s Digital New Deal.
Joint Programs Target Education, Prevention, and Victim Support
The Tether–UNODC collaboration spans multiple regions and focuses on both preventing cybercrime and supporting victims of human trafficking.
Senegal Project: Youth Cybersecurity Education
This multi-phase program will introduce young people to cybersecurity fundamentals, digital asset safety, and emerging technologies.
It includes classroom learning, a bootcamp involving the Plan B Foundation (a Tether–Lugano initiative), and follow-on mentorship. Participants will also have access to micro-grants to develop projects that advance digital safety and innovation.
Africa Project: Supporting Anti-Trafficking Organizations
Across Senegal, Nigeria, the DRC, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda, Tether will help fund civil society groups that provide direct assistance to victims of human trafficking.
These organizations offer protection services, emergency support, and reintegration pathways for survivors.
Papua New Guinea Project: Digital Inclusion and Fraud Prevention
Beyond Africa, Tether and UNODC will work with the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Solomon Islands to raise youth awareness about digital asset fraud and financial inclusion.
A student competition will incentivize blockchain-based solutions for crime prevention and secure financial access.
Collaboration Bridges Public and Private Sectors
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said that combating human trafficking and cyber-enabled exploitation requires “coordinated action across sectors,” emphasizing that innovation and education are central to empowering vulnerable communities.
UNODC leaders echoed the need for such partnerships, noting that public-private cooperation is becoming essential as organized crime becomes more technologically sophisticated. The agency’s long-standing efforts against cybercrime, including its role in shaping the new UN Cybercrime Convention, will form the backbone of this expanded initiative.
A Significant Step Toward Safer Digital Ecosystems
By combining Tether’s technical expertise with UNODC’s global crime-fighting mandate, the partnership aims to build safer, more resilient digital ecosystems across emerging markets. It comes at a time when African nations are rapidly adopting digital assets but often lack sufficient resources to counter cybercrime and human exploitation.
The initiative stands out as one of the most substantial collaborations to date between an international security authority and a major crypto company. As digital finance continues its rapid expansion across Africa, the joint effort signals a clear push to ensure that innovation goes hand in hand with safety, education, and community protection.
