The increased use of new and emerging technologies by organized criminal and terrorist groups poses a significant threat to Eastern Africa. Many countries in the region lack effective cybersecurity policies and legal frameworks, making them vulnerable to cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crimes. UNODC supports Member States in:

•   Developing and revising legal and policy frameworks on cybercrime, ensuring alignment with international norms and human rights standards.
•  Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, prosecution services, and judiciaries to investigate and prosecute cybercrime cases, particularly online child sexual exploitation.
•   Conducting public awareness campaigns on cyber risks, with a focus on digital literacy and safety for vulnerable groups.
•   Facilitating regional partnerships to promote coordination and information sharing in response to cyber threats.
•   Supporting victim-centered strategies for cybercrime response, focusing on the protection and support of victims of online exploitation.

In Madagascar, a country grappling with the effects of child sex tourism, UNODC is training and mentoring the nation's cyber-units to counter online child sexual exploitation by providing specialized online and in-person training to the Police and Gendarmerie cyber services. Meanwhile, in countries like Kenya and Uganda, the focus is on equipping narcotics units with cyber investigation and digital forensics skills.