A joint INTERPOL and AFRIPOL operation has led to 83 arrests across six African countries in what officials called a: “landmark” assault on terrorism financing networks spanning the continent.

Operation Catalyst, conducted between July and September 2025, targeted illicit financial flows linked to terrorism, money laundering, and cybercrime. Authorities screened over 15 000 individuals and entities, uncovering roughly US$260 million in suspected terrorism-linked funds.

The arrests included 21 people for terrorism-related offences, 28 for financial fraud and money laundering, 16 connected to cyber scams, and 18 for the illicit use of virtual assets. Angola led with 25 arrests and US$588 000 in seizures, while Kenya dismantled a crypto-laundering scheme and arrested two individuals accused of recruiting online for extremist groups. Nigeria detained 11 suspects, including high-level members of terrorist organisations.

Investigators also exposed a massive cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme spanning 17 countries, with losses estimated at US$562 million.

The co-ordinated effort brought together law enforcement agencies from Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Sudan, supported by global financial partners including Binance and Moody’s.

INTERPOL said the operation demonstrated Africa’s growing capacity to disrupt the financial lifelines of extremist and organised crime groups, signalling a more data-driven and collaborative approach to counterterrorism across the continent.