To intensify the fight against internet crime and enhance the security of business transactions, unicorn payments technology company, Flutterwave, says it is partnering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to establish and a state-of-the-art Cybercrime Research Centre.
The fintech company with fortunes worth over $1bn headquartered in San Francisco and footprints in Nigeria and other African countries said the centre would also provide a “sustainable lifeline to youths across the country”.
To this effect, the Silicon Valley-based company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the anti-graft agency on June 14, 2024 in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
At the historic occasion were EFCC czar Ola Olukoyede, Flutterwave boss Olugbenga Agboola, Director of the American Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Christopher Gray, and other senior officials from both the EFCC and the FBI.
The MoU was signed by the Secretary of the EFCC, Mohammadu Hammajoda, and Olugbenga Agboola for Flutterwave.
Olukoyede said, “This partnership marks a significant leap forward in our efforts to combat financial crimes and ensure a secure financial landscape for Nigerians. The Cybercrime Research Centre will significantly enhance our capabilities to prevent, detect, and prosecute financial crimes.”
On his part, Agboola said, “This initiative underscores our commitment to creating a fraud-free financial ecosystem and leading the charge in safeguarding transactions across Africa.
“We applaud the EFCC’s relentless efforts to combat internet fraud and other illicit activities in the financial sector.”
The Cybercrime Research Centre, to be established at the new EFCC Academy, would serve as a hub for advanced research, training, and capacity building in the fight against financial crimes.
Areas of focus of the centre include advanced fraud detection and prevention, collaborative research and policy development, youth empowerment and capacity building, technological advancement and resource enablement, among other key areas.
“Advanced Fraud Detection and Prevention: Developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies to detect and prevent financial fraud. The centre will offer comprehensive training for law enforcement and industry professionals to combat modern financial crimes effectively.
“Collaborative Research and Policy Development: Engaging in joint research initiatives and policy formulation to enhance the understanding and regulation of financial crime. The centre will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices between the public and private sectors.
“Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building: Providing high-end training and research opportunities for 500 youths, equipping them with the skills needed to navigate and excel in the digital economy.
“Technological Advancement and Resource Enablement: Creating a repository of advanced tools, technologies, and resources to support financial crime investigations, including protocols for addressing emerging threats such as cryptocurrency-related crimes,” the statement concluded.
Birthed in 2016 by Agboola, fondly referred to as GB, Flutterwave, with its corporate headquarters in San Francisco and operational head office in Lagos State grew in within a short time, penetrating the African market with customisable payments applications through its unique Application Programming Interface
