African Youth and Cybercrime: The misconception of our time

Cybercrime, is a modern trend affecting businesses with online presence globally. According to Symantec, globally, Sub Saharan Africa countries fall below the first 20 countries, with the United State ranking first in cybercrime activities in 2020.

As a result of the increasingly growing phenomenon of cybercrime globally, the Commonwealth Secretariat this year held its “Regional Conference on addressing Cybercrime in Sub-Saharan Africa” in Accra, Ghana with 12 participating Commonwealth African countries to address cybercrime activities in Sub Saharan Africa.

The conference drew experts from across Sub-Saharan Africa - including investigators, prosecutors, senior judiciary, Attorneys General, and regional authorities.

In spite of the global phenomenon of cybercrime, the narrative of Sub Saharan Africa is perceived as the most populated in cybercrime activities consequently leading to the regional conference by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Meanwhile, there are numerous African youths utilizing the internet for legitimate businesses for personal growth.

"Although there are many youths involved in cybercrime activities, many are those utilizing the cyberspace legitimately, reducing unemployment and changing lives. I am a living testimony of how my business has evolved with the power of the internet and I know how it is transforming other youths from unemployment to employed status, said Isaac Dzokpo, an online business entrepreneur.

Isaac Dzokpo, is an online clothing businessman, blogger, a student of cybersecurity at Ehacking Academy, a comedian and also engaged in other activities using the internet to facilitate all his businesses. “I think it is time that government and the media begin to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the cyberspace and I believe that will encourage other youths to engage in online businesses to further reduce cybercrime activities. But I must say that online businesses must prioritize cyber security."

Many businesses in Ghana have migrated to online using the internet as their principal drive. Businesses include EBay, social media manager, social media consultant, blogging, business coaching, affiliate marketing among others.

Adib Saani, a Foreign Police and Security Analyst and Executive Director for Jatikay Security Company Limited, said, cybercrime is a threat to businesses online and that funder mentally all businesses require cyber security.

Admittedly, the security analyst indicated the increasing level of cybercrime attacks on companies, organizations and individuals but denounced the notion that Africa is the most populated in cybercrime.

“There are youths who are making it big, their start ups have gained prominence on social media. As a matter of fact some investors have even been able to notice start ups they found captivating and that has resulted in a lot of people getting their lives changed.”

As a security analyst he said, the internet has tremendously contributed to the effectiveness and efficient sharing of security informations to the public.

“Despite that, everything comes with its positive and negative. Well I must say based on my experiences, findings, my research done, the good outweighs the bad. And that it is also not to downplay the seriousness of internet criminality we had to contend with over the period.”

In spite of the growing phenomenon, the security analyst emphasized that, Africa shouldn’t let “cybercrime activities mar the beauty of the internet because there are endless opportunities online. Generally, the internet has played a massive role in improving the lives of many African youths.”

He advocated that parents should expose their kids to the internet to guide and educate them on relevant and irrelevant programs and also expose them to the vast opportunities on the internet.

The narration of African youths of being most populated in cybercrime activities is contrary to the reality. This report unraveled that many African youths are utilizing the internet legitimately contributing to the reduction of youth unemployment on the continent.

The government of Ghana is spite of stiff opposition from the minority in parliament, fought it way and introduced an Electronic Levy (e-levy) as a result of the increasing phenomenon of online businesses.

Government through the Ghana Digital Centres Limited (GDCL), estimates to offer 9 million digital jobs and nearly $4 billion in revenue potential by 2030. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the GDCL, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, admitted that digital technology allows actors in the agricultural sector to get better information to improve productivity.

“Additionally, demand for digital skills is also likely to increase in industrial sectors because technology can help mitigate the dangers of physical jobs. Tools such as online and text messaging can support training and communication on the job,” said CEO of GDCL.

Obed Palmer Brown, CEO of Palmers Collections is a Ghanaian young business man using the internet for his business and believes the digital space is an opportunity to reduce the high unemployment rate in the Ghana.

According to Palmer, prior to the usage of the internet for legitimate business, he was operating on the streets of one of Ghana’s biggest market centres known as ‘Kantamanto’.

He narrated that, he was once an internet fraudster, but realizing the vast opportunity the internet presents, he used it to promote his business and moved his clothing business from the streets of ‘Kantamanto’ to online business.

“I used to engage in cybercrime but realizing the vast opportunities the internet present, I decided to switch to online business and I haven’t regretted. With the use of the internet, I can now reach multiple customers online for delivery services and connections.”

Palmer uses social media platforms including WhatsApp status, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram to advertise his goods . The features of these social media tools he said presents opportunity to reach the larger community online easier compared to the street business.

Similarly, technology firms in Africa are recruiting software engineers and other staff because of the opportunities the internet space provides. For instance, Africa is said to have nearly 700,000 professional developers plying their trade in the internet space.

The internet is touted to be a global leveler of opportunities, it is therefore imperative African Governments pull resources together and create a robust internet and digital space for their socio-economic development, particularly for their youth.

The narrative that African youth only use the internet for fraud and cybercrime is a palpable falsehood. Indeed, several documents and documentaries point to the fact that just a few African youth engage in cybercrime compared to a huge youth population in the West and Americans.

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