Table of Contents

• Three Major Collaboration Projects: From Senegal to Papua New Guinea
• Tether CEO: Combining Innovation and Education to Empower Communities
• UNODC: Pioneer in Global Cybercrime Prevention

The world’s largest stablecoin issuer Tether announced a partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to enhance internet security in Africa through blockchain technology, promote public education on digital assets, and support victim protection programs for human trafficking.
(Background: What Tether is developing in Africa: Solar kiosks and new stablecoin business)
(Additional context: United Nations Southeast Asia Crime Report — cryptocurrencies used in extortion, money laundering, and scams)

On January 9, Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, announced a joint initiative with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). UNODC is a leading global agency fighting illegal drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism, and corruption.

According to Chainalysis data, Africa is becoming the third-fastest growing region for cryptocurrency adoption worldwide, but this also makes the continent increasingly vulnerable to digital asset scams and fraud. The latest INTERPOL operation uncovered up to $260 million in illegal cryptocurrencies and fiat in Africa, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity to combat online crime.

Three Major Collaboration Projects: From Senegal to Papua New Guinea

Through this partnership, Tether will support UNODC’s “2030 Africa Strategy Vision,” promoting peace and security, strengthening community resilience, and protecting digital assets. The initiative will leverage blockchain technology and other emerging technologies to reduce vulnerabilities to cybercrime, enhance economic opportunities, and support victims of human trafficking across Africa.

Currently, Tether and UNODC are collaborating on the following three projects:

• Senegal Project: Promoting youth online safety through a multi-phase public education campaign, including learning opportunities and training camps, guided, mentored, and funded by Tether in partnership with Plan B Foundation of Luganville City
• Africa Project: Funding and supporting civil society organizations providing direct assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking in Senegal, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda
• Papua New Guinea Project: Collaborating with the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of the Solomon Islands to raise youth awareness of financial inclusion and digital asset scam prevention, and incentivize innovation through blockchain solution competitions

Tether CEO: Combining Innovation and Education to Empower Communities

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated:

Supporting victims of human trafficking and helping prevent exploitation requires cross-sector coordination. Through our partnership with UNODC, we are backing initiatives that combine innovation and education to empower communities and create safer, more inclusive opportunities for those in greatest need.

UNODC West and Central Africa Regional Representative Sylvie Bertrand pointed out:

Digital assets are reshaping how the world interacts with money and play a key role in unlocking Africa’s development potential, while also contributing to the UN’s peace and security agenda. I am excited about the prospects of this tripartite partnership — bringing together the United Nations, the private sector, and Senegalese authorities to support the vision behind Senegal’s digital transformation. Through this collaboration, we can advance digital inclusion, strengthen digital skills and youth employment, promote a secure and transparent digital ecosystem, and use innovation to prevent organized crime while fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

UNODC: Pioneer in Global Cybercrime Prevention

Since the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols, UNODC has been at the forefront of combating organized crime, including cybercrime. UNODC also supports countries in addressing cybercrime and recently helped pass a new UN Convention on Cybercrime.

Due to the often overwhelming scale of these issues, individual countries find it difficult to tackle alone. UNODC provides practical assistance through its network of field offices and global programs, encouraging cross-border and multi-sectoral approaches.