Tether has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to combat illicit cryptocurrency activity and strengthen Africa’s digital resilience.
Africa’s Growing Vulnerability
On Jan. 9, stablecoin giant Tether announced a strategic partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat illicit cryptocurrency activity and strengthen digital resilience across Africa. The collaboration comes as the continent experiences explosive growth in digital assets alongside rising exposure to scams, fraud, and organized crime.
According to a media statement, Africa is now the third-fastest-growing crypto region, yet weak regulatory frameworks and limited cybersecurity infrastructure have left it exposed. The statement cites an Interpol operation that uncovered $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat transactions across multiple African nations, highlighting the urgent need for stronger safeguards.
The partnership supports UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Africa 2030, which aims to promote peace, security, and inclusive growth. By leveraging blockchain and emerging technologies, the initiative aims to reduce vulnerabilities to cybercrime, expand financial opportunities, and provide direct support to victims of human trafficking.
The collaboration includes the Senegal Project, a youth-focused cybersecurity education program featuring bootcamps, mentorship, and microgrants. The Plan B Foundation — Tether’s collaboration with the city of Lugano — will deliver training sessions to empower young innovators.
Additionally, the Africa Project provides funding to civil society organizations in Senegal, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda to protect and assist victims of human trafficking. Finally, the Papua New Guinea Project partners with universities in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to raise awareness of financial inclusion and fraud prevention, featuring student competitions to incentivize blockchain-based solutions.
Read more: Tether Partners With Guinea to Drive Digital Transformation and Economic Growth Through Blockchain Technology
“Tackling human trafficking and preventing exploitation requires coordinated action across sectors,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. “Our collaboration with UNODC combines innovation and education to empower communities and create safer, more inclusive opportunities.”
Sylvie Bertrand, UNODC regional representative for West and Central Africa, added: “Digital assets are reshaping how the world engages with money and can unlock Africa’s development potential. This partnership supports Senegal’s Digital New Deal by advancing digital inclusion, strengthening youth employability, and harnessing innovation to prevent organized crime while fostering sustainable growth.”
As Africa balances the promise of crypto innovation with the risks of illicit flows, the Tether-UNODC partnership marks a significant step toward building secure, transparent, and resilient digital ecosystems. By combining education, victim support, and blockchain innovation, the initiative aims to help Africa harness crypto’s potential while protecting its communities from exploitation.
FAQ ❓
- Why is Africa central to this partnership? Africa is the world’s third-fastest-growing crypto region but faces rising scams and weak safeguards.
- What triggered the urgent need for action? Interpol uncovered $260M in illicit crypto and fiat flows across multiple African nations.
- How will the initiative support local communities? Projects in Senegal, Nigeria, DRC, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda fund education and victim protection.
- What is the broader goal for Africa’s future? The partnership backs UNODC’s Vision 2030 to build secure, inclusive, and resilient digital economies.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Tether drives a $500 billion valuation fundraising round; if demand is insufficient or is postponed
Gate News message, on April 5, Tether is pushing investors to participate in a new round of financing at an estimated valuation of about $500 billion. If market demand does not meet expectations, the financing process may be delayed. It is reported that the company has been exploring financing plans since last year, but some investors are cautious about this valuation. If the financing is successful, Tether’s scale will exceed most U.S. banks, second only to JPMorgan Chase. Previously, Tether discussed raising about $15 billion to $20 billion through private placements, but those plans remain uncertain.
GateNews7h ago
Cambodia passes its first anti–tech scam law, strengthening law enforcement regulations to combat online telecom fraud
Cambodia’s National Assembly passed the “Anti-Technology Fraud Law” at the end of March, aiming to crack down on online scams and human trafficking. The law establishes dedicated offenses, with severe penalties and life imprisonment. The new law expands the scope of law enforcement, targeting acts such as “pig butchering” scams, and responds to international pressure to repair its image. The government has pledged to shut down illegal scam centers by the end of April.
ChainNewsAbmedia04-03 18:25
Ledger phishing email scam steals 600,000 USDT, and U.S. federal prosecutors recover all funds
An American court ruled to forfeit more than $600,000 in USDT, stemming from a physical letter phishing scam targeting Ledger users. After receiving the disguised letter, the victims leaked their seed phrases, and their funds were stolen. The scammers tried to conceal the funds through multiple transfers and conversion methods, but the transparency of the blockchain helped the police track the path of the fund movements. They then successfully recovered the funds through a civil forfeiture proceeding.
MarketWhisper04-03 03:02
US Attorney Connecticut Forfeits $600,000 in Tether Linked to Ledger Phishing Letter
Federal prosecutors in Connecticut recovered more than $600,000 in tether ( USDT) after tracing stolen cryptocurrency from a phishing scam that used a physical letter to deceive a hardware wallet user.
Connecticut Crypto Phishing Victim to Recover Funds
Local media reported that the U.S.
Coinpedia04-03 01:34
