EFCC office
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced significant steps to upgrade its digital systems and cybersecurity infrastructure to effectively tackle increasingly sophisticated financial crimes driven by artificial intelligence.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the two-day International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC) 2026, EFCC Chairman Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede highlighted the urgency for law enforcement to adapt as criminals leverage digital technologies to defraud victims, transfer funds across international borders, and mask their operations.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Mrs. Nwanyinma Okeanu, Deputy Director of the Public Affairs Department, stressed that the commission is actively evolving to match the changing landscape of financial crime.
“For us in law enforcement, the message is clear: as crime evolves, our response must evolve with it,” Olukoyede said.
The conference, themed “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations,” brought together law enforcement officers, cybersecurity experts, policymakers, and international delegates to formulate strategies for securing digital spaces across Africa.
To improve operational efficiency and streamline investigations, the EFCC chairman revealed that the commission has embarked on an ambitious digital transformation program aimed at reducing manual processes, boosting workflow automation, and expanding access to critical intelligence.
Key digital tools already deployed under this initiative include:
The e-Petition Platform: Allowing citizens to lodge financial crime complaints securely online.
Enterprise Case Management System (ECMS): Enhancing central management and tracking of investigative cases.
Fraud Risk Assessment and Management System: Mitigating systemic financial risks and identifying vulnerabilities.
Asset Management System: Tracking and managing seized and recovered assets transparently.
Olukoyede acknowledged that while digital migration creates immense operational advantages, it also introduces cybersecurity risks. Consequently, the EFCC is focusing on fortifying its network security, improving access controls, enhancing real-time security monitoring, and establishing robust incident response mechanisms.
Also addressing delegates at the conference, Senator Momo Cyprus, Chairman of the Defence, Intelligence and Security Committee of the Liberian Senate (representing Lofa County), advocated for the responsible and ethical adoption of AI across African nations.
Senator Cyprus noted that while AI presents opportunities to drive innovation, transform research, and streamline public services, it also poses severe risks—including facilitating financial fraud, spreading targeted disinformation, and undermining democratic institutions.
Referencing INTERPOL’s 2026 African Cyber Threat Assessment Report, Cyprus warned of the rising sophistication of cybercriminals exploiting emerging technologies. He urged governments across the continent to prioritize digital literacy, foster critical thinking among citizens, and invest heavily in critical national infrastructure such as telecommunications, healthcare, energy, and banking systems.
Cyprus highlighted Liberia’s proactive stance, citing the passage of its Cybercrime Act of 2025 and the rollout of the National Cybersecurity Strategy (2025–2029) as steps toward building regional resilience.
Both speakers underscored the necessity for multi-agency collaboration, public awareness, and international intelligence sharing to build strong digital defenses against cyber threats across the continent. (NAN)
