As part of its ongoing efforts to tackle transnational organized crime in all its forms, the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), in collaboration with INTERPOL, is conducting two vital training sessions on virtual assets and cybercrime investigation tools. These sessions, which commenced on May 20, 2024, will continue until May 30, 2024, in Mauritius.
The training sessions are currently benefiting thirty-four experts from African Union member states, including Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. These sessions aim to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement officials in the region, providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to combat the evolving landscape of cybercrime.
The Virtual Assets Course is designed to introduce participants to the complex ecosystem of virtual assets. Participants are gaining hands-on experience with relevant analysis and investigation tools essential for identifying, tracking, and analyzing cryptocurrency transactions. This training is crucial for law enforcement agencies to understand and mitigate the risks associated with virtual assets and their misuse by criminals.
Concurrently, the Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) training is equipping participants with the expertise needed to conduct thorough cybercrime investigations. This course focuses on mapping connections and gathering intelligence from open sources, which is a critical component in identifying and prosecuting cybercriminals. The training is empowering participants with advanced techniques to collect, analyze, and utilize data from publicly available sources effectively.
During the opening ceremony at the Integrated Customs Clearance Centre in Le Chaland, Mr. Anil K. Dip, Commissioner of Police, delivered a compelling speech highlighting the importance of adapting law enforcement operations to keep pace with rapid technological changes. He stressed the need for innovative measures across all law enforcement activities to stay relevant and effective.
The training sessions are part of a broader initiative of AFRIPOL in strengthening African police cooperation at strategic, tactical, and operational levels. This initiative enhances AFRIPOL’s member states operational capabilities through improved investigations, criminal analysis, and information exchange across the continent. Additionally, the Global Action on Cybercrime Enhanced (GLACY-e) project, a joint effort by the European Union and the Council of Europe, aims to bolster the capacity of countries to enforce cybercrime legislation and handle electronic evidence.
