By A first-of-its-kind operation targeting terrorism financing and related criminal activities has led to 83 arrests across six African countries and the identification of 160 persons of interest, according to INTERPOL.
Operation Catalyst — conducted between July and September 2025 — was designed to identify and disrupt financial networks and schemes linked to terrorism financing.
Of those arrested, 21 were for terrorism-related offences, 28 for financial fraud and money laundering, 16 for cyber-enabled scams, and 18 for the illicit use of virtual assets..
Jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, the two-month operation saw authorities screen more than 15,000 people and entities, uncovering about USD 260 million in fiat and virtual currencies potentially tied to terrorism-related activities. Around USD 600,000 has already been seized, with further investigations ongoing to trace and recover more assets.
Experts say combating terrorism financing remains a complex challenge, as it often intersects with multiple criminal activities, including fraud, ransom kidnappings, illicit trade, Ponzi schemes, and cybercrime. These illegal operations can fund terrorist groups directly or indirectly through money laundering networks.
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To strengthen coordination, participating countries shared intelligence ahead of the operation. This was supported by cyber intelligence from INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, alongside private-sector partners Binance, Moody’s, and Uppsala Security.
Operational Highlights
In Angola, authorities detained 25 people of various nationalities following investigations into informal value transfer systems linked to terrorist financing and money laundering. The operation involved the inspection of 30 commercial establishments, where about USD 588,000, 100 mobile phones, and 40 computers were seized, while 60 bank accounts were frozen.
In Kenya, investigators uncovered a suspected money laundering network using a virtual asset service provider, valued at around USD 430,000, with possible links to terrorism financing. Twelve suspects were identified, and two were arrested.
In a separate Kenyan case, two individuals were arrested for recruiting youths online from East and North Africa into terrorist groups. The funds used for radicalisation were traced through a cryptocurrency trading platform to individuals in Tanzania.
In Nigeria, security agencies arrested 11 suspected terrorists, including senior members of several terrorist organisations.
One major transnational case involved a cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme posing as a legitimate online trading platform. The scam spanned 17 countries, including Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria, defrauding over 100,000 victims of an estimated USD 562 million. Investigators linked several large crypto wallets from the scheme to terrorism financing.Notice
Additionally, a Red was issued for a suspect accused of running a cryptocurrency scam worth USD 5 million. Funds were allegedly moved through multiple digital wallets and exchanges to obscure the trail and convert assets into fiat currency — a method consistent with known terrorist financing techniques.
Officials Commend Cooperation
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza described the operation as a milestone in global security collaboration.
“Operation Catalyst marks the first time financial crime, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism units from several African countries have joined forces with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL to target terrorism financing,” he said. “By sharing intelligence, expertise, and resources, we can more effectively identify and disrupt the financial flows that sustain terrorist activities.”
AFRIPOL Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, also praised the coordinated effort.
“The success of Operation Catalyst lies in the synergy among national units combating financial crime, cybercrime, and terrorism,” he noted. “It shows that when Africa’s law enforcement agencies unite, they can deliver a decisive response to evolving security threats.”
Background
Operation Catalyst was carried out under the ISPA Programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, to strengthen AFRIPOL’s capacity as Africa’s lead institution in tackling organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and financial offences.
Participating countries: Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Sudan.
AFRIPOL
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