UNICEF and GSMA have launched the Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection (COP), a new initiative to safeguard children’s rights and safety in the digital age.
The launch, held during MWC25 Kigali, marks the establishment of the first-ever continental taskforce dedicated to protecting African children in online spaces. The Taskforce will act as a collaborative platform to coordinate, guide, and strengthen efforts across the continent, while supporting national and regional initiatives that promote child safety online.
“As Africa’s children step boldly into the digital world, their safety must come first,” said Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. “The Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection is a uniquely African platform to ensure technology shields children from harm while opening doors to learning, play, and growth. By uniting governments, partners, and young people, we can make safety the foundation of Africa’s digital future.”
This milestone follows the release of the GSMA’s June 2025 whitepaper, “Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa,” developed in partnership with UNICEF and regional allies. The report called for united action among governments, the private sector, civil society, and young people and specifically recommended creating a taskforce to turn commitments into action.
With Africa witnessing one of the fastest rates of internet adoption among children globally, young users are increasingly exposed to online threats , including cyberbullying, exploitation, misinformation, and harmful content. The continent’s rapid technological growth, mobile-first culture, and youthful population create both opportunity and risk, underscoring the urgent need for an African-led approach to digital child protection.
The Taskforce brings together a broad coalition of partners from the mobile industry, technology sector, law enforcement, regulators, and civil society to enhance coordination and implement existing regional policies.
“The Taskforce marks an important step from strategy to action,” said Caroline Mbugua, Director of Public Policy at GSMA Africa. “By collaborating with UNICEF, governments, industry, and youth, we aim to embed safety into Africa’s digital transformation journey. Together, we can position Africa as a global leader in child-centred digital governance.”
Founding members of the Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection include Axian Telecom, Child Helpline International, INTERPOL, the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), Internet Watch Foundation, MTN Group, MtotoNews, Orange, Paramount Africa, Safaricom, Vodacom Group, and youth representatives from Nigeria and Rwanda.
Youth voices will continue to be integral to the Taskforce’s work. Among them is 19-year-old Jemima Kasongo, a youth advocate who contributed to the earlier whitepaper consultations. Her participation symbolizes the Taskforce’s commitment to ensuring that Africa’s next generation remains at the heart of shaping safer digital futures.
