Nigeria Warns of Terrorist Use of Crypto and AI Across West Africa

Nigeria has raised concerns about terrorist financing as extremist groups increasingly exploit cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms across West Africa and the Sahel. Security officials warn that these technologies can help terrorist groups spread propaganda, recruit members, move funds and coordinate operations across borders.

The warning came on October 13, 2026, during a regional counterterrorism training conference in Abuja. Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) organised the three-day programme in collaboration with the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) to strengthen the region’s ability to detect and disrupt the misuse of digital technologies.

Terrorist Financing Through Crypto Raises Security Concerns

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu warned that emerging technologies were adding new challenges to counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Ribadu, represented at the conference by National Coordinator of the NCTC Major General Adamu Garba Laka, said terrorist groups were using digital platforms to spread propaganda, radicalise potential recruits, raise funds and coordinate cross-border activities.

He also highlighted the growing role of AI, drones and virtual assets in the changing security landscape.

Cryptocurrencies can transfer value between digital wallets without relying on traditional banking channels for every transaction. Although they have legitimate financial uses, authorities are concerned about their potential misuse in terrorist financing and other forms of illicit activity.

However, cryptocurrency transactions can leave records on public blockchains. Investigators can analyse these records to identify transaction patterns and trace funds, although linking wallet activity to specific individuals often requires additional evidence.

Ribadu called for stronger technical capabilities, better intelligence sharing and closer cooperation between security agencies across West Africa and the Sahel.

Boko Haram and ISWAP Among Groups Identified

The Acting Director of the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre, Idriss Lalalli, identified Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) among the groups expanding their activities through digital technologies.

According to Lalalli, these groups use social media to recruit members and distribute propaganda. He also highlighted the use of mobile money, gift cards and cryptocurrencies to move or conceal funds.

Beyond financial transactions, Lalalli raised concerns about terrorist groups using darknet marketplaces to obtain weapons, satellite communications to communicate across borders and drones to extend their operational reach.

He added that AI could help these groups tailor propaganda to different audiences and complicate efforts to detect their activities.

The concerns reflect a wider challenge for security agencies: digital tools can allow groups to reach people beyond their immediate locations, while their activities may cross several jurisdictions.

Nigeria Trains Security Agencies in Blockchain Analysis

To address these threats, the Abuja conference is equipping participating officials with technical skills to investigate digital activity and follow suspicious financial transactions.

The programme covers four key areas:

• Blockchain analysis: Examining cryptocurrency transactions to identify suspicious financial flows and potential links between wallets.
• Digital forensics: Collecting and analysing electronic evidence that may support investigations.
• Open-source intelligence: Gathering information from publicly available online sources.
• Cyber threat intelligence: Identifying and assessing digital threats to support security operations.

These methods can help investigators build a clearer picture of how suspected terrorist networks communicate, raise funds and move money.

For example, blockchain analysis may reveal transfers between wallets associated with a suspected network. Investigators can then combine these findings with other intelligence and evidence to determine whether the transactions are connected to criminal activity.

The training also adopts a regional approach. Participants from West Africa and the Sahel are expected to share knowledge and strengthen cooperation between their respective agencies.

According to the NCTC, the programme follows a training-of-trainers model. Participants are expected to return to their home countries and deliver at least one national-level training session within six months, extending the programme’s reach beyond the initial group.

Regional Cooperation and Private-Sector Support

Nigerian and African Union officials say technology alone will not solve the problem. Effective investigations also require trained personnel, strong institutions and timely intelligence sharing.

Private-sector cooperation is another important part of the response. Social media companies, telecommunications operators and financial service providers may hold records that help investigators establish how suspected networks communicate or move funds.

In cryptocurrency-related investigations, cooperation with relevant exchanges and service providers may also help authorities identify account holders, preserve records or restrict access to funds when legally authorised.

Still, blockchain analysis has limitations. A transaction does not automatically reveal the identity of the person controlling a wallet, and suspicious activity must be assessed alongside other evidence. Investigators may need information from several countries and service providers before they can establish the full picture.

Ribadu also said Nigeria was working with the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre to secure accreditation for the NCTC as a regional centre of excellence for counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.

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Editorial Takeaway

Nigeria’s warning highlights the growing importance of digital investigations in efforts to disrupt terrorist financing across West Africa.

Cryptocurrency and AI have legitimate uses, but officials are concerned that extremist groups can also exploit digital technologies to move funds, spread propaganda and coordinate activities across borders.

The Abuja training programme aims to strengthen regional expertise in blockchain analysis, digital forensics and cyber threat intelligence. Its success will depend on whether participating agencies can turn these skills into effective investigations, share actionable intelligence and cooperate across national borders.

For the cryptocurrency sector, the development also reinforces the importance of responsible compliance, effective monitoring and cooperation with lawful investigations into suspected financial crime.