Tether Joins the United Nations to Protect the African Digital Economy

Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, has announced its groundbreaking partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a global leader in combating illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism, and corruption. The main purpose is to empower cybersecurity and public education on digital asset security in Africa.

Tether and the United Nations Join Forces to Safeguard Africa’s Digital EconomyLearn more:

— Tether (@tether) January 9, 2026

The security threats are increasing continuously as Africa is emerging as the third-fastest-growing crypto region. Basically, all these things need to be done as a priority for African people in order to avoid any scams and fraud. For the strengthening purpose African continent urgently needed $260 million to empower its cybersecurity against illicit crypto and fiat. Tether has released this news through its official X account.

Empowering Youth and Communities Against Cybercrime in Africa

Tether will aid the UNODC’s Strategic vision for African 2030 by making it hard to promote peace and security by improving community resilience and protecting digital assets. All these things will happen due to this collaboration. With the help of blockchain technology and other leading technologies, this startup minimizes the vulnerabilities to cybercrime across Africa.

To ensure security, Tether and UNODC are making a partnership on three main initiatives, such as the Senegal Project, Africa Project, and Papua New Guinea Project. In the Senegal Project, both partners are advancing public awareness about cybersecurity by educating especially youth via a multi-phase program that starts with learning opportunities and a bootcamp. This includes a session by the Plan B Foundation, integration between Tether and the city of Lugano,

The collaboration is accompanied by coaching, tutorship, and micro-grants to support participants in further developing their projects and ideas. In the Africa Project, Direct help and protection are provided to victims of human trafficking across Senegal, Nigeria, DRC, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda by funding and supporting a chosen number of civil society organizations.

Tether and UNODC Support Youth Innovation for Inclusive Economic Growth

In the Papua New Guinea Project, awareness will be raised in the youth of the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Solomon Islands, rewarding innovation via a student competition focused on blockchain solutions for financial inclusion and crime prevention.

Paolo Adoino, CEO of Tether, expressed his thoughts, saying, “Through our collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, we’re backing initiatives that combine innovation and education to empower communities and help create safer, more inclusive opportunities for those who need them most.” In response to this, Sylvie Bertrand, UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, also gave his words. He said,

“I am excited by the prospect of a tripartite partnership, bringing together the United Nations, the private sector, and Senegalese authorities, to support the vision behind Senegal’s Digital New Deal. 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.”