To counter a growing epidemic of online fraud during Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, JA Africa (www.JA-Africa.org) has launched CyberSmart, a practical digital security course that equips young Africans with simple, lifelong habits that keep cybercriminals at bay. Aligned with this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme, “Don’t Make It Easy for Them,” the course delivers actionable digital safety education directly to young people across the continent.
The launch comes at a critical time. According to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, Africa now has approximately 570 million internet users who depend on digital platforms for banking, healthcare, education, and government services. Yet the security systems, laws, and institutions meant to protect them have not kept up with the speed of adoption, leaving users exposed to cybercriminals.
According to the same research findings, reported cybercrime losses across Africa more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, rising from US$192 million to US$484 million, while identified victims grew from 35,000 to 87,000. INTERPOL estimates that cybercrime caused at least US$5 billion in direct economic damage across the continent in 2025, and that 55% of reported cases involved AI in some form. Mobile money fraud is now the most prevalent online scam, with 97% of responding countries identifying it as a major threat.
Digital inclusion across Africa has expanded access to education and financial tools, but cyber education has struggled to keep pace. Young people often expose themselves to identity theft, phishing scams, and account takeovers without realizing it, because they lack practical security habits.
“Every young person deserves the confidence to learn, work, connect, and build their future safely online,” said Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa. “Through CyberSmart, JA Africa is empowering Africa’s next generation with the digital safety skills needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world. By building simple cyber-safe habits today, young people can protect their opportunities tomorrow.”
Unlike generic, highly technical cybersecurity courses, CyberSmart was built for the day-to-day realities of young Africans:
- Relatable contexts: Local scenarios and African characters navigating real situations, from protecting mobile money PINs to spotting AI-driven phishing.
- Bilingual and free: Available free of charge in English and French.
- Short, interactive learning: Three quick modules with videos, quizzes, and practical exercises.
- A gateway to high-growth careers: An introduction to cybersecurity paths, including ethical hacking, digital forensics, cyber law, and cybersecurity analysis.
“We designed CyberSmart around the moments young people actually face online: the urgent message from a fake agent, the link that looks almost right, the request for a one-time password,” said Bimpe Olufemi, Vice President, Digital, JA Africa. “When learners recognize these situations in characters and scenarios that look like their own lives, the lessons stick. Our goal is to turn awareness into everyday habits that young people carry into school, work, and business.”
As a leader in youth entrepreneurship, financial-health, and work-readiness education across Africa, JA Africa is extending its reach into digital safety, now a foundational life skill for success in education, entrepreneurship, and employment. CyberSmart is hosted on JA Africa’s Skills Lab platform, which has reached more than 100,000 young people across the continent since 2020, and can be accessed on any internet-enabled device.
JA Africa calls on parents, secondary school teachers, university lecturers, and community leaders to help young people build good digital habits early, at home, in schools, and in communities.
Looking ahead, JA Africa will work with its member organizations to bring CyberSmart into schools and youth learning spaces across the continent. The organization welcomes collaboration with ministries of education, technology companies, financial institutions, and telecom providers to expand access and help more young people stay safe online.
How to access the free course
Students, parents, and educators can enroll in CyberSmart for free today at https://apo-opa.co/4inZuKv.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Junior Achievement (JA) Africa.
Media Contact:
Ellen Ukpi
Director, Marketing and Communications
JA Africa
Ellen.ukpi@ja-africa.org
About JA Africa:
JA Africa is one of Africa’s largest organizations working on youth economic empowerment and a member of JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest youth-serving nonprofits. Through hands-on, immersive learning experiences in work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship education, JA Africa prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. JA Africa operates in 23 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and impacts more than one million young people annually through partnerships with ministries of education and the private sector in more than 3,000 schools. Learn more at www.JA-Africa.org.