France has unveiled a $4.3m grant to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women across Africa and the Middle East.

The multi-million-dollar financial funding being released through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) will support feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) to fight online gender-based violence such as cyberstalking and image-based exploitation

The initiative, launched under the Support Fund for Feminist Organisations, seeks to finance groups of national, international, and French CSOs over a three-to-four-year period.

The AFD emphasised that these organisations must operate in at least four countries, with three among the most vulnerable, including nations like Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Lebanon.

“TFGBV is a digital pandemic affecting millions of women and girls. We need urgent, cross-border solutions that put power back in the hands of women-led organisations,” said the French global aid agency.

Other forms of TFGBV include cyberstalking, sextortion and online harassment. According to the United Nations, 90% of African women internet users have encountered some form of online violence, often deterring their participation in public discourse.

The new AFD funding will focus on capacity-building, policy advocacy, creating safer online spaces, and promoting feminist innovation. Applications are open until August 31, 2025, with a strong emphasis on local leadership.

AFD’s call comes as part of France’s broader feminist foreign policy, which aims to channel 75% of its bilateral aid towards gender equality objectives by the end of 2025.

“Women’s rights cannot be fully realised if digital spaces remain dangerous and hostile,” added the AFD.

Interested CSOs can access the call for proposals on AFD’s website. The selected consortium will design and manage disbursement mechanisms, ensure knowledge exchange across countries, and integrate survivors’ voices into the fight against TFGBV.

France is confident that the new AFD initiative will empower women-led groups in Africa and the Middle East to scale solutions, shape policies, and build safer digital spaces.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has emphasized that data privacy, protection, and cybersecurity are “inseparable pillars of the digital age” and must be prioritized in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC

Dr. Olatunji made this assertion during his keynote address titled “Data Privacy and Protection: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Compliance” at the ongoing National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja.

He underscored that while data protection focuses on safeguarding personal information from misuse, cybersecurity protects the systems that store this data. “Data privacy is a basic human right that empowers individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, and shared,” he said.

“Strong cybersecurity is essential to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. Conversely, robust data protection frameworks help guide effective cybersecurity practices and foster a culture of privacy.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s progress, Dr. Olatunji noted the country’s recent Tier 3 (“establishing”) ranking in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index and its top position in Africa particularly in the area of data protection. He traced the evolution of Nigeria’s data protection journey, culminating in the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

He described the NDP Act as the cornerstone of the country’s data governance framework. “The Act regulates the processing of personal data in Nigeria and guarantees the privacy rights of individuals,” he explained.

It applies to both local and international data controllers and processors handling data of Nigerian subjects and provides clear guidelines on data collection, storage, consent, data subject rights, and penalties for non-compliance.

Dr. Olatunji cited the recent ₦766.2 million fine imposed on MultiChoice for non-compliance as an example of the Commission’s enforcement capacity. He also revealed that the NDPC has generated over ₦2 billion in the last two years, with the data protection sector now valued at ₦16.2 billion alongside the creation of numerous job opportunities.

He further highlighted ecosystem growth, citing the certification of 455 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) under the National Certification Program and verification of 3,343 Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) by 2025.

While celebrating progress, Dr. Olatunji also pointed to key areas for improvement, including building institutional capacity, enhancing data literacy and workforce development, and strengthening collaboration across sectors.

In conclusion, he urged stakeholders to “embrace a culture of data protection, implement robust cybersecurity practices, and stay attuned to the evolving regulatory landscape” in order to reduce risks, protect assets, and support long-term national growth.

In today’s digital world, QR codes are placed on almost everything – from yogurt containers and restaurant menus to museum exhibits, and even utility bills and parking lots.

People use them to open websites, download apps, collect loyalty programme points, make payments and transfer money, and even for charity donations. The accessible and practical technology is convenient for many, including cybercriminals, who have already rolled out a variety of QR-based schemes.

Kaspersky experts have identified the top security risks when scanning QR codes:

• Phishing and redirection to malicious sites: QR codes can direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal or financial information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Attackers can impersonate legitimate sites, such as banks or streaming services, and trick users into entering their credentials.
• Malware download: Some QR codes can trigger the download of malicious applications that compromise the security of the user’s device, especially if it is not protected against unauthorised installation.
• Payment fraud: During special events or sales periods like holiday sales, a fake QR code can redirect users to make payments to fraudulent accounts.
• Unsafe automatic connections: A QR code can also automatically connect the user to Wi-Fi networks controlled by cyber attackers, allowing them to intercept their communications.

“QR codes are a fertile ground for potential manipulation, especially as they appear in various everyday contexts such as receipts, flyers, and signage. Attackers have nearly endless possibilities to exploit them.

“As these codes have already become an integral part of our daily lives, it is essential for users to know how to use them safely and responsibly,” says Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel for META at Kaspersky.

In order to not fall for a scam when scanning a QR code, Kaspersky experts recommend:

• Verify the source: Scan QR codes only from trusted and known sources. Avoid scanning codes in public places that may have been tampered with.
• Check the URL: If you really need to scan a publicly available code, verify that the web address it directed you to is legitimate before taking any action on this website.
• Don’t share personal information: Avoid entering sensitive information if you’re not completely sure of the origin of the QR code.
• Protect your digital life: Install a cybersecurity solution with anti-phishing and anti-fraud protection, such as Kaspersky Premium, on all your devices; it will alert you to any danger timely.