A coordinated law enforcement operation led by INTERPOL and targeting terrorism financing and related criminal activities has resulted in 83 arrests across six African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Sudan, and has identified 160 persons of interest.
- INTERPOL and AFRIPOL coordinated Operation Catalyst, targeting terrorism financing across six African nations.
- 83 arrests were made, with charges including terrorism, financial fraud, and cyber-enabled scams.
- Authorities screened over 15,000 entities, uncovering $260 million in illicit funds and seizing $600,000.
- Investigations revealed complex intersections of terrorism funding with criminal activities such as fraud and online scams.
The operation was coordinated by INTERPOL, the world’s largest international police organization with 196 member countries, in collaboration with AFRIPOL, the African Union’s specialized law enforcement agency. Together, the agencies worked to combat terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime across the African continent.
Operation Catalyst, carried out from July to September 2025, focused on identifying and dismantling financial networks and schemes linked to terrorism and its support structures, according to INTERPOL.
Arrests and Financial Findings
Of those arrested, 21 were charged with terrorism-related offences, 28 with financial fraud and money laundering, 16 with cyber-enabled scams, and 18 with the illicit use of virtual assets.
Over the two-month operation, authorities screened more than 15,000 individuals and entities, uncovering approximately $260 million in fiat and virtual currencies potentially linked to terrorism-related activities. Around $600,000 has already been seized, with further investigations ongoing.
Complexity of Terrorism Financing in Africa
Terrorism financing in Africa often intersects with various criminal activities, including fraud, Ponzi schemes, kidnapping for ransom, illicit trade, online scams, and the misuse of virtual assets.
These networks can fund terrorist groups directly or indirectly through intermediary networks and money laundering schemes.
Nigeria alone has lost over USD 2.2 billion in the past decade to Ponzi and other fraudulent schemes, which exploit economic vulnerability and financial illiteracy, offering unrealistic returns before collapsing.
In some cases, proceeds from such schemes have been traced to terrorism financing, highlighting the link between financial crime and security threats.
The complexity of these networks underscores the importance of coordinated African-led responses.
Participating countries shared intelligence on key targets ahead of the operation, supported by strategic cyber intelligence from AFRIPOL and INTERPOL, as well as data from private-sector partners including Binance, Moody’s, and Uppsala Security.
Statements from Law Enforcement Leaders
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said:
“Operation Catalyst is the first time, financial crime, cybercrime and counter-terrorism units from multiple African countries have joined forces with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL to target the financing of terrorism. By sharing intelligence, expertise and resources, we can more effectively identify and disrupt the financial flows that support terrorist activities to stay one step ahead of these threats and keep our communities safe.”
AFRIPOL Executive Director Ambassador Jalel Chelba added:
“The success of Operation Catalyst lies in the synergy and convergence of efforts among national units combating financial crime, cybercrime, and terrorism.
This joint endeavour, dedicated to disrupting the financing of terrorism across the African continent, illustrates how coordinated action between Member States, facilitated by AFRIPOL and INTERPOL, can effectively address complex and evolving security threats. Such cooperation demonstrates that Africa’s law-enforcement community, when united, offers a decisive response in the pursuit of a secure and stable continent.”
Operational Highlights
Authorities in Angola acted following investigations into informal value transfer systems linked to terrorism financing and money laundering, resulting in the detention of 25 individuals of multiple nationalities.
During the operation, officials inspected 30 commercial establishments, seizing $588,000, 100 mobile phones, 40 computers, and freezing 60 bank accounts suspected of being connected to illicit activity.
Building on these regional efforts, investigators in Kenya uncovered a suspected money laundering scheme involving a virtual asset service provider, valued at USD 430,000 and implicating 12 individuals, two of whom were arrested.
Additionally, authorities detained two individuals accused of recruiting young people from East and North Africa into terrorist groups, with funds traced through a cryptocurrency platform to Tanzania, highlighting the transnational nature of such networks.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, law enforcement agencies apprehended 11 suspected terrorists, including high-ranking members of several groups.
These arrests underscore the broader regional impact of Operation Catalyst and demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated, continent-wide intelligence sharing and enforcement strategies.
Support and Funding
Operation Catalyst was conducted under the ISPA programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, to strengthen AFRIPOL’s role as Africa’s lead institution in preventing and combating transnational organized crime, terrorism, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering.
