Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has wrapped up an extensive regional training program to address the dramatic increase in crypto crime across Africa.
- Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has wrapped up an extensive regional training program to address the dramatic increase in...
- The National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA) hosted a week-long Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies Crime Investigations Course that brought together investigators from...
- Abdalla Komesha, Director of the DCI’s Investigations Bureau, presided over the closing ceremony and said that the collaboration and assistance...
- These include the discovery of a $847 million fraud that targeted Kenyans and Nigerians, a $4 million bank theft through...
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The National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA) hosted a week-long Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies Crime Investigations Course that brought together investigators from over 10 African nations, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, for focused practical training.
Abdalla Komesha, Director of the DCI’s Investigations Bureau, presided over the closing ceremony and said that the collaboration and assistance in providing this priceless training would “equip the detectives with advanced forensic techniques to develop practical strategies for combating cross-border illicit transactions.”
DCI is stepping up its efforts to combat crypto crime
The program’s primary objectives were to eliminate criminal networks that used virtual currency, trace illegal transactions, and conduct digital asset forensics.
The participants’ commitment was commended by NCIA Commandant Sospeter Munyi, who also “encouraged them to implement their new knowledge and skills to improve the efficiency and quality of their investigative work.”
The European Union is fully funding and supporting the training at a time when police enforcement is dealing with more difficult situations.
Following a rise in crypto-related crimes, Kenya was recently placed on the EU’s and FATF’s grey list as a high-risk money-laundering jurisdiction.
These include the discovery of a $847 million fraud that targeted Kenyans and Nigerians, a $4 million bank theft through crypto channels in July 2025, and several arrests for financing terrorism using cryptocurrencies.
With more than six million Kenyans owning digital assets, the endeavour is a calculated step to preserve Kenya’s standing as a continental crypto powerhouse.
Rosemary Kuraru of the National Forensic Laboratory, speaking on behalf of the DCI leadership during the introduction of the new training module, stressed that “as criminals migrate to digital spaces that offer anonymity, law enforcement must innovate with equal speed.”
The crypto crime training focuses on tackling scammers’ strategies
The recently released Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Investigation Training Module sets out to build specialised knowledge in tracking blockchain transactions, investigating crimes involving digital wallets and exchanges, and improving cross-border collaboration.
To implement the recently passed Kenya VASP Act 2025 and rebuild trust in the digital economy, this capacity-building initiative is considered a crucial step.
According to DCI, the training will improve the region’s capacity to combat increasingly complex digital currency crimes perpetrated by fraudsters, money-laundering networks, and international criminal organisations.