Cybercrime and Online Child Sexual Exploitation & Abuse in West Africa

Understanding the Threat, Closing the Gaps, Protecting the Future

In recent years, West Africa has experienced unprecedented growth in internet connectivity. Affordable smartphones, expanding mobile networks, and social media platforms have transformed how people communicate, learn, and do business. But this rapid digital expansion has also created fertile ground for cybercrime, particularly the Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA).

From grooming and sextortion to livestreamed abuse and trafficking-enabled exploitation, OCSEA is one of the most urgent, yet least understood, threats facing children in the region. This article examines the drivers, patterns, and impacts of OCSEA in West Africa, and offers concrete recommendations for governments, technology companies, schools, and communities.