Key Insights
- Tether UNODC is a collaboration that contributes to the education of youth in Africa on cybercrime and digital literacy.
- The Tether UNODC partnership funds victim protection activities in relation to the risk of trafficking and online exploitation.
- The Tether UNODC alliance aligns with Africa 2030’s focus on security, digital trust, and resilience.
Tether has collaborated with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to address cybersecurity issues in African markets.
The partnership unites the stablecoin issuer Tether and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to work on digital security education, crime prevention, and community resilience.
Tether UNODC Partnership Aligns With Africa 2030 Strategy
According to a press release, the program aims to enhance the protection of cryptocurrency users and align with the United Nations’ goals of peace, security, and sustainable development.
Under the agreement, Tether will assist the UNODC in achieving its 2030 Strategic Vision for Africa by providing resources and technical expertise to enhance digital safety and trust.
The organizations claimed that the initiative will utilize blockchain and other emerging technologies to not only face cyber-enabled crime but also help communities impacted by trafficking and online exploitation.
Tether cited Africa’s position as one of the largest global user bases for USDT as a factor behind its involvement.
Moreover, the collaboration aligns with the mandate of the UNODC, which is to curb organized crime and promote secure and transparent digital ecosystems.
African Education and Youth-Based Programs
The Tether-UNODC partnership prioritizes education as one of its key areas, particularly among young people. The program features a multi-phase cybersecurity education initiative targeting young people in Senegal.
The program combines classroom instruction with a practical boot camp centered on digital asset safety, according to project details released by the partners.
Participants will receive mentorship and coaching and may access small grants to support applied projects developed during the program.
According to the organizers, the structure is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, reinforcing an understanding of the dangers of online fraud and promoting prudent digital usage.
The education element also comprises sessions backed by the Plan B Foundation, a collaboration between Tether and the City of Lugano.
Tether states that the strategy is based on the focus on enhancing digital literacy and community awareness of cybercrime risks, with no particular commercial product or services to be advertised.
Victim Support Extends Across Multiple Countries
In addition to education, the Tether UNODC alliance provides direct financial support to civil society organizations that assist victims of human trafficking.
https://twitter.com/tether/status/2009611926368637219
The resources will be used to provide protection services and recovery assistance to selected organizations that are active in Senegal, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
These organizations involve people who have experienced exploitation, and they provide systems of support that aim at minimizing the vulnerabilities, which, in most cases, lead to trafficking and abuse.
The project aims to address the urgent recovery requirements and long-term resilience needs by identifying solutions to underlying economic and digital risk factors.
Statements From Partner Organizations
Tether Chief Executive Officer Paolo Ardoino said the collaboration reflects the need for coordinated responses to exploitation and cyber-enabled crime.
Paolo stated that a cross-sector partnership with education and innovation is required to empower the victims of human trafficking and prevent exploitation.
UNODC Regional Representative Sylvie Bertrand highlighted the growing role of digital assets globally, particularly in developing regions.
According to her, the collaboration would support the promotion of digital inclusion, enhance digital capabilities, and contribute to the development of secure and transparent digital ecosystems to manage organized crime risks.
Growth Beyond Africa and Other Innovations.
Although Africa has been the main target, the Tether-UNODC collaboration is also applied in other areas.
The program will support the involvement of university students in Papua New Guinea by organizing competitions that focus on blockchain-based financial access and crime prevention.
The collaboration forms part of a broader period of activity for Tether, which has recently expanded its presence across multiple sectors. To further add to the report on Tether, the company announced that it had made a $1 billion bid to purchase Juventus Football Club.
