Cybercrime and online harms are rapidly evolving across Africa, bringing with them significant challenges to justice and digital trust. UNICRI, in collaboration with ALT Advisory, invites you to take part in a hybrid roundtable discussion at IGF 2025 that explores these pressing issues.

During the session, we will present the findings of the research report Access to Justice in the Digital Age: Empowering Victims of Cybercrime in Africa, examining trends in cybercrime and online harms, drawing on case studies from Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Uganda. The report highlights gaps in investigations, challenges faced by victims in reporting incidents, and the barriers to accessing fair redress. Our goal is to move from analysis to implementation, using this forum to reflect on practical solutions and explore how they can be translated into concrete action.

This Open Forum will also outline UNICRI’s broader approach to tackling cybercrime and online harms. This includes action-oriented research on emerging themes, capacity-building activities in collaboration with technology companies, policy support to Member States, and the development of technical assistance tools. Throughout the discussion, we aim to gather insights from participants to refine our recommendations and identify pathways for national and regional implementation.

A particular focus will be placed on four key recommendations that emerged from the research: developing model laws on cybercrime, establishing coding systems and standard operational procedures, creating clear reporting mechanisms, and launching a “Know Your Rights” campaign. While these recommendations are drawn from the four case study countries, we seek to expand the discussion to include insights and experiences from across Africa and globally.

Speakers include Mr. Michael Ilishebo, Ms. Sandra Aceng, Ms. Tina Power, and Mr. Belford Doherty. The session will be moderated by Ottavia Galuzzi and Odhran Mc Carthy of UNICRI.

This initiative contributes directly to SDG 16 by addressing cybercrime, reinforcing the rule of law, and promoting access to justice. It also links to SDG 5 by tackling online harms against women and girls while promoting their digital empowerment, and to SDG 9 through its support for Africa’s digital and technological development.

To attend IGF 2025, please register via the official portal: https://indico.un.org/event/1016806/
 

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