Investigators from more than 10 African countries trained in digital asset forensics in Kenya

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Investigators from more than 10 African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, recently completed a week-long course on crypto crime investigation in Kenya.

Equip detectives with advanced forensic skills

The Kenya Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) recently concluded a major regional training initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to combat crypto-related crimes. Investigators from more than 10 African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, participated in the week-long program.

At the closing ceremony, DCI Director of Investigations Abdallah Comesha emphasized that this collaboration and “valuable training” will equip detectives with advanced forensic skills and practical strategies to combat illegal cross-border trade.

According to local reports, the main purpose of the training module is to help law enforcement agencies more efficiently track illegal transactions and strengthen their ability to conduct advanced digital asset forensics. Our focus is on building expertise in tracking blockchain transactions and investigating crimes involving digital wallets and exchanges. It also addresses how investigators can improve cross-border cooperation against sophisticated fraudster strategies.

Read more: Experts warn: Africa’s high cryptocurrency adoption rate is attracting cybercriminals

Director of the National Criminal Investigation Academy (NCIA) Sospeter Mouni praised the efforts of the participants and urged them to “put into practice new knowledge and skills to improve the efficiency and quality of investigative work.”

Critical capacity building for European Union funds

This capacity-building initiative is fully funded and supported by the European Union (EU) and reaches a critical juncture for law enforcement agencies. The need for specialized training is said to be highlighted by Kenya’s recent placement on the EU and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list as a high-risk money laundering jurisdiction following a notable increase in cryptocurrency-related crimes.

Recent high-profile cases that have accelerated this urgency include the discovery of an $847 million fraud targeting Kenyans and Nigerians, a $4 million bank theft via crypto channels in July 2025, and multiple arrests for terrorist financing using crypto.

Rosemary Krall of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences, speaking on behalf of DCI leadership, reiterated why it is imperative that law enforcement agencies “innovate with equal speed” as “criminals move to digital spaces that provide anonymity.” DCI anticipates that this training will significantly improve the region’s overall ability to combat the increasingly complex digital currency crimes committed by fraudsters, money laundering networks and transnational criminal organizations.

Frequently asked questions 💡

What was the purpose of the DCI training in Kenya? The aim was to strengthen Africa’s ability to investigate crypto-related crimes.
Which countries participated in the program? Investigators from Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and other African countries participated.
Who funded this effort? The European Union fully funded the regional capacity-building effort.
Why is this training urgent for Kenya? Kenya was recently placed on the EU and FATF gray list due to an increase in crimes related to cryptocurrencies.