Cyber threats outstrip digital growth in E.Africa: Interpol

Dar es Salaam. The newly released Interpol Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, has delivered a stark warning: Cybercrime is accelerating across Africa, threatening public safety, financial systems and digital trust.

While more countries are responding, many still face serious structural challenges that limit their ability to detect, investigate and disrupt cyber threats. For East Africa, it reveals that much work remains to be done before the region can truly become a hub of the digital economy.

The development comes as the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF)’s Annual Meeting 2025 convene global decision-makers and experts in Saudi Arabia on October 1 and 2 to shape the future of Cyberspace under the theme “Scaling Cohesive Advancement in Cyberspace”. This year’s report indicates cybercrime now accounts for more than 30 percent of all reported crime in both Eastern and Western Africa.

Interpol cybercrime director Neal Jetton, notes, “These threats are not constrained by borders, they are transnational, fast-moving and increasingly sophisticated. They target the very infrastructure that underpins progress: financial systems, public services and, most importantly, the trust of citizens in the digital future.

” In East Africa, five countries; Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia are singled out as fast-emerging technological and financial hubs. SIM swap fraud has notably increased in Tanzania and Uganda, with fraudsters hijacking phone numbers to drain mobile wallets.

“It is a human problem as much as a technical one. Fraudsters don’t always need advanced tools.

Sometimes they just need someone inside a mobile shop willing to bend the rules,” a cybersecurity expert with CRDB Bank, Mr David Kway, told The Citizen. Online scams remain Africa’s most widespread cyber threat.

Interpol notes that phishing alone accounted for 34 percent of all cyber incidents detected on the continent in 2024. The report cautions that criminal use of artificial intelligence, synthetic media and mobile-enabled fraud schemes were outpacing the capacity of many agencies to respond. For young Tanzanians, the danger of digital sextortion is growing.

The report shows over 60 percent of African countries noted a rise in such cases in 2024, many targeting teenagers. Ugandan police and civil society have already flagged sextortion as a growing crisis and Tanzanian officials quietly admit similar trends are appearing.

Tanzania has set its sights on building a digital-driven economy, with mobile money, e-government and e-commerce at its core. But Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) executive secretary Goodwill Wanga noted that in a digital economy, data is the new currency.

“If people cannot trust that their information and transactions are safe, then trade, banking, health and even agriculture will all be undermined,” he said. The consequences are already visible.

Phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams drain millions from companies, while ransomware attacks, though still less frequent in East Africa than in South Africa or Egypt, are creeping closer. In 2024, Tanzania was among Africa’s top 20 for ransomware detections, a reminder that no country is immune.

A capacity gap that could derail progress The report is blunt about the bottleneck: “A majority of countries report shortages in cybercrime investigative skills, limited access to digital forensic tools and insufficient infrastructure.” Only 30 percent of African nations have incident reporting systems and just 29 percent maintain digital evidence repositories.

Tanzania is taking steps to close the gap. The ICT Commission has recently launched training initiatives with Korea’s KISA to build digital forensic expertise.

“The cybersecurity field is broad This is only the beginning because these specialists are still very much needed,” ICT Commission director general Nkundwe Mwasaga noted at a recent graduation of forensic trainees. Telecoms and banks are also investing in security upgrades.

TTCL’s cybersecurity officer, Lilian Chambiri, said forensic training will make a difference: “Before, we had no tools to confirm the source of a leaked SMS or hacked file. Now we can trace, verify and report with confidence.

” But the numbers speak volumes. Interpol’s survey found that 95 percent of African countries lack adequate training and tools to handle modern cybercrime.

The report lays out clear recommendations. First, Tanzania and the East Africa countries must rapidly scale up forensic capacity.

Regional digital forensic labs, certified tools and secure evidence repositories are urgently needed. The report also stresses the importance of career pathways to retain talent: “Countries risk losing their most skilled investigators to the private sector unless incentives are created to keep them in public service.

” Second, telecom safeguards must be tightened. Stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) rules, regular audits of SIM card vendors and real-time fraud reporting channels are vital.

Finally, the law must keep pace. Cross-border evidence requests remain too slow.

As Interpol notes: “Formal cooperation channels such as mutual legal assistance processes remain slow and underutilised.” .

Yanga management urges fans to stay calm, back Folz amid mounting pressure

Dar es Salaam . Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) management has appealed to its fans and members to remain calm and rally behind head coach Romain Folz, following the team’s disappointing goalless draw against Mbeya City on Tuesday at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

The barren result in the ongoing Mainland Tanzania Premier League left sections of the fanbase visibly frustrated, with some openly chanting for the Frenchman’s dismissal. Supporters complained that the performance was below par, arguing that Yanga’s trademark attacking style, characterized by attractive passing and entertaining football, has diminished under his leadership.

Fans call for change after stalemate The stalemate against newly promoted Mbeya City, a side many expected Yanga to defeat, was met with jeers from the stands. Some disgruntled fans urged the club’s leadership to terminate Folz’s contract and find a new coach, insisting that the team appeared uninspired and lacking creativity.

Since taking charge, Folz has been scrutinized for his tactical approach. Critics argue that his style does not reflect Yanga’s traditional attacking identity, one that has brought the Jangwani Street giants immense success in recent seasons.

“This is not the Yanga we are used to,” one fan lamented. “We want to dominate, to play with flair, and to win convincingly.

” Management: “It’s part of the game” However, Yanga’s leadership has moved swiftly to cool tensions. Speaking to The Citizen, one club official defended Folz, reminding supporters that football is unpredictable and that difficult matches at Sokoine Stadium are nothing new.

“It is part of the game, and historically, our team has often struggled to get positive results at the Sokoine Stadium, especially against Mbeya City,” the official explained. “This was not the first time to record such results.

We must accept that Mbeya City also came targeting victory against us. What matters is that we remain unbeaten since his arrival.

Let’s give him our support.” A mixed start for Folz Despite the frustrations, Folz’s record is far from poor.

Since his appointment, he has guided Yanga in four competitive matches, producing three victories and one draw. His tenure began with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over arch-rivals Simba in the Community Shield.

That was followed by a comprehensive 3-0 away win against Angola’s Wiliete in the CAF Champions League, a 3-0 triumph over Pamba Jiji in the league opener, and a 2-0 second-leg victory over Wiliete to advance in continental action. The Mbeya draw was the first time Folz dropped points with Yanga, though he remains unbeaten.

Still, many believe the performance gap between local dominance and continental ambition is too wide, and tougher matches ahead will be a true test of his tactical ability. Future on the line For now, Yanga’s management insists Folz deserves time to instill his philosophy.

But with fan pressure mounting, the next few fixtures could prove decisive for his future. Any further slip-ups may intensify calls for change, while convincing victories could calm the storm.

As the reigning champions eye another successful campaign, one thing is clear: unity between management, players, and supporters will be critical if Yanga are to defend their crown and excel on the continental stage .

US government shutdown begins as partisan division rules Washington

Washington. The U.

S. government shut down much of its operations on Wednesday as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal, setting off what could be a long, grueling standoff that could lead to the loss of thousands of federal jobs.

There was no clear path out of the impasse, while agencies warned that the 15th government shutdown since 1981 would halt the release of a closely watched September employment report, slow air travel, opens new tab, suspend scientific research, withhold pay from U.S.

troops and lead to the furlough of 750,000 federal workers at a daily cost of $400 million. Republican President Donald Trump, whose campaign to radically reshape the federal government is already on track to push out some 300,000 workers by December, warned congressional Democrats that a shutdown could clear the path for more job cuts.

Vice President JD Vance issued an unusual warning about air safety, noting that air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration personnel — essential staff who work through shutdowns — would be worried about delayed paychecks. “If you’re flying today, I hope, of course, you arrive safely and on time, but you may not arrive on time because the TSA and the air traffic controllers are not getting paid today,” Vance said on Fox News.

The U.S.

‘s longest-government shutdown, which stretched over 35 days in 2018-2019 during Trump’s first term, ended in part after flight delays caused by air traffic controllers calling in sick. Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a stopgap measure to fund the government through Nov.

21 over Republicans’ refusal to attach an extension of health benefits for millions of Americans that are due to expire at the end of the year. Republicans say the issue must be addressed separately.

Both sides were posturing to blame the other and looking for advantage in the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Senate Republican Leader John Thune scheduled another series of votes on Wednesday, hoping to pressure Democrats to break ranks.

Wall street slips The shutdown was set to delay the release of some government economic reports, adding unease to Wall Street investors at a time of economic uncertainty. Wall Street opened lower, gold struck a record high and Asian stocks wavered as investors worried about delays in the release of key data and the impact of job losses.

The dollar hovered near a one-week low versus major peers. At issue on the government funding front is $1.7 trillion for agency operations, which amounts to roughly one-quarter of the government’s total $7 trillion budget.

Much of the remainder goes to health and retirement programs and interest payments on the growing $37.5 trillion debt. Independent analysts warn the shutdown could last longer than the budget-related closures of the past, with Trump and White House officials threatening to punish Democrats with cuts to government programs and the federal payroll.

“Donald Trump and Republicans have shut the government down because they don’t want to provide healthcare to working-class Americans,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Thune said Democrats had routinely backed similar funding bills in years past.

“What’s changed is President Trump is in the White House. That’s what this is about.

This is politics. And there isn’t any substantive reason why there ought to be a government shutdown,” the South Dakota Republican told reporters.

Trump’s Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, but legislative rules require 60 of the 100 senators to agree on spending legislation. That means that at least seven Democrats are needed to pass a funding bill.

On Tuesday, three of them voted for the Republican bill. Democrats focus on healthcare funding Democrats are under pressure from their frustrated supporters to score a rare victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s term.

The healthcare push has given them a chance to unite behind an issue that resonates with voters. Along with the extended health subsidies, Democrats have also sought to ensure that Trump will not be able to undo those changes if they are signed into law.

Trump has refused to spend billions of dollars approved by Congress, prompting some Democrats to question why they should vote for any spending legislation at all. University of Chicago professor Robert Pape said the polarized U.

S. political climate could make it harder for party leaders to reach a deal to reopen the government, which would likely anger their most vocal partisans.

“The rules of politics are radically changing, and we can’t know for sure where all of this is going to end,” he said. .

Visayas power grid on ‘yellow alert’ due to Cebu earthquake

The Visayas grid is placed on ‘yellow’ alert this Wednesday, Oct. 1, as several power plants went on forced outage following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that had shaken Cebu Tuesday night.

In an advisory, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said the Visayas grid would be under yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m.

In a yellow alert, the power supply can still meet demand, but it will serve as a warning that when a plant breaks down one way or another, it will result in brownouts.

The grid operator said a total of 27 power plants had tripped due to the earthquake, leading to 1,444.1 megawatt (MW) capacity loss from the grid. At least 10 transmission lines are also on outage.

Sixteen more power plants were not operational even prior to the incident.

The current available capacity is at 1,888 MW, while the peak demand is 1,839 MW.

The Luzon and Mindanao grids, meanwhile, are under normal operations. /dda

Jeric Raval didn’t intend to reveal grandkids with AJ Raval, Aljur Abrenica

Jeric Raval admitted he only had a slip of the tongue when he confirmed to the public that his daughter AJ Raval and her boyfriend Aljur Abrenica already have two children.

The veteran action star’s confirmation came last August during the press conference of the film ‘Mamay: A Journey to Greatness,’ which he was part of.

This was then brought up during his interview on ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ on Tuesday, Sept. 30, after show host Abunda asked if the couple got mad at Jeric for the revelation he did.

‘Hindi naman. Actually, nadulas lang ako noon eh,’ Jeric answered, laughing. (No. Actually, I revealed it accidentally.)

Jeric recalled how he blurted out the information while having a casual conversation with someone at the event, and was asked again about it during the press conference proper.

Jeric added that AJ reached out to him after his interview circulated on social media, but that she told her, ‘Nasabi ko na e. Anyway, lalabas din ‘yan.’ (I have already said it. It would eventually come out anyway.)

However, the actor clarified that the pregnancy rumors that hounded AJ a few years back were indeed not true.

”Yung totoo [ay] ‘yung panahon na hindi naman na nababalita, [pero] nasabi ko,’ he continued. ‘Daldal ko kasi e.’

(There were no talks about it when she actually had a child, but I initiated it again with my statement. I blame my talkativeness.)

Jeric also noted that the couple’s firstborn is a girl and the second one is a boy-a correction to the previous detail he got wrong about his grandchildren.

When asked about AJ and Abrenica, Jeric said the couple are happy and have been doing well. Jeric further disclosed that he advised AJ to return to show business while she is still young.

‘Medyo napaso [siya] do’n sa mga bashing kasi puro below the belt e,’ he said of AJ. ‘Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ulit ngayon pero dati talagang ayaw na niya [bumalik].’

(She was quite affected by the bashing because most of them were below the belt. We haven’t talked about it again but before, she said she really does not want to return to show business.)

AJ and Abrenica, who went public with their romance in 2023, have yet to publicly speak about the matter as of this writing. /edv

BSP expects 1.5% to 2.3% September inflation rate

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said inflation may have picked up in September, projecting consumer price hike to average between 1.5 and 2.3 percent, as higher rice, fish, and fuel costs added pressure.

The forecast comes after August inflation stood at 1.5 percent, which settled below the 2 percent to 4 percent target band of the inflation-targeting central bank.

The central bank said it would stay alert to both domestic and global developments, underscoring its data-dependent stance on monetary policy. /dda

Investing in SUCs: Challenges and opportunities

State universities and colleges (SUCs) are critical pillars of higher education, human capital development, and technological innovation in the Philippines. As SUCs expand access to higher education, they act as equalizers that can level the playing field for the underprivileged. These institutions are essential in addressing educational disparities, promoting inclusive growth, and advancing research that contributes to national development. They serve as hubs for talent cultivation and skills training, supporting the development of a knowledge-based economy.

Today, the Philippines has 113 SUCs operating nationwide. SUCs face common challenges such as financial constraints, regulatory barriers, and sub-optimal use of funds, which undermine long-term sustainability. A persistent issue is the lack of funding for capital outlays, leading to aging buildings, outdated and inadequate facilities, and the discontinuation or non-implementation of development plans despite a growing student population. Additionally, SUCs struggle to recruit specialized personnel like psychometricians and guidance counselors due to uncompetitive salaries, forcing them to rely on temporary staff. Retention of academic staff is also problematic when there is insufficient support for human resource development.

SUCs mainly depend on government subsidies for funding. They also generate income from tuition, auxiliary services, and income-generating projects (IGPs). Under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the government now covers the tuition fees of undergraduate students. While research grants are sought, procedural barriers often hinder SUCs, especially lesser-known universities, from securing funding. SUCs face challenges like uneven budget distribution, limited financial independence, and multiple layers of bureaucracy that slow down effective use of funds. Many struggle to maximize revenue from IGPs and turn research outputs into profitable intellectual properties (IPs) because they lack entrepreneurial skills and necessary facilities.

To address these issues, it is essential to pursue strategic reforms in SUCs’ financing. International experience provides insights into how Philippine SUCs can become more financially sustainable. For example, Singapore funds its universities through block grants with a three-year budget cycle and strong endowment funds.

Singapore’s National Research Foundation Central Gap Fund actively promotes the commercialization of research outputs. Meanwhile, Thailand adopts a decentralized approach that grants autonomy to universities via block grants, allowing for more flexible fiscal management. This strategy has resulted in higher research budgets and increased operational efficiency.

Locally, the establishment of knowledge, innovation, science, and technology parks in SUCs, through the support of the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, can further unlock the optimal utilization of land grants and foster industry partnerships. The UP-Ayala Land TechnoHub serves as a pioneer in this type of university-industry collaboration. This partnership fosters technology commercialization, business incubation, and job creation. Although there are debates surrounding this approach, such as the prioritization of IT services versus a more research-intensive focus, similar partnerships can facilitate a more optimal utilization of SUCs’ assets.

Other good practices include continuous investment in faculty and staff capacity building, especially for research, and emphasizing digitization for increased administrative efficiency.

The government should continue pursuing the creation of more fiscal space, allowing for more investments in higher education. Furthermore, strengthening university-industry partnerships and facilitating the commercialization of IPs and innovations can substantially improve SUCs’ funding and support the country’s development agenda.

Down the line, performance-based funding linked to clear and transparent key performance indicators can further enhance efficiency. A more ambitious reform for the Philippines is to grant greater financial independence to SUCs through block grants and multi-year budgets for internally generated income, giving them flexibility in resource allocation.

An effective tuition fee structure can support these block grants, which should be based on the standard cost of education delivery, a quality premium, and the capacity limits of SUCs.

To effectively serve as catalysts of social and economic progress, the financial sustainability of SUCs must be achieved through strategic reforms that free them from financial constraints imposed by conservative and rigid structures.

LPA inside PAR may become a tropical depression in 24 hours

The low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) now has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

According to Pagasa, the LPA was estimated at 1,080 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon as of 2 a.m.

While it does not yet have a direct effect on land, Pagasa said that it is likely to develop into a severe tropical depression within the next 24 to 48 hours.

‘And if this develops into a tropical cyclone, we will name it Typhoon Paulo,’ said Pagasa’s Weather Specialist Loriedin de la Cruz in a video weather report.

The LPA entered PAR at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30.

Meanwhile, the easterlies will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms across the country. It will affect the Bicol Region, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Aurora, and Quezon.

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.

Residents in these areas are advised to remain vigilant for potential flash floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall.

Light to moderate winds will prevail across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

IMI shutters Kuichong facility as part of China consolidation

Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), the listed semiconductors and electronics manufacturing arm of the Ayala Group, has shut down its Kuichong facility to consolidate its China business in a single location.

In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, IMI said final production activities in Kuichong ended on Tuesday, Sept. 30. They are now integrating operations into IMI’s Pingshan facility.

‘Throughout this transition period, IMI’s management team will prioritize business continuity and ensure that key customer accounts from IMI Kuichong will be served with minimal disruption,’ IMI said in its disclosure.

‘This strategic move is expected to further improve operational efficiency, increase capacity utilization in IMI Pingshan and further streamline IMI’s footprint in China,’ it added.

This follows IMI’s P635-million exit from its Czech Republic business in June as it sought to cut losses and return to profitability.

Its subsidiary, Cooperatief IMI Europe UA, had agreed to sell 100 percent of IMI Czech Republic to Keboda Deutschland GmbH and Co. KG. /dda

Ayala brings Spinneys to the Philippines

Ayala Corp. has signed a deal to bring another grocery format to the Philippines, this time United Arab Emirates-based Spinneys, which will likewise mark its debut in Asia.

Under the partnership, Ayala will hold a 60-percent stake, while Spinneys will own the remaining 40 percent, Spinneys said in a press statement issued in Dubai dated Sept. 30.

The partnership marks Spinneys’ first venture outside of the Gulf area.

The company said this was ‘aligned with its strategy to broaden its geographic footprint by entering structurally attractive high-growth markets.’

The collaboration is also seen to signify Ayala’s growing stake in the retail sector, as it continues to bring more international brands to the Philippine market.

New chapter

Just recently, Ayala signed a deal to bring warehouse club Makro to the country.

‘Spinneys’ expansion into Southeast Asia marks an exciting new chapter for us. The Philippines offers significant long-term growth potential, with strong economic fundamentals, a growing affluent population, and increasing demand for high-quality offerings,’ said Sunil Kumar, CEO at Spinneys.

‘With a growing middle and upper-income population, the Philippines is seeing a clear shift in consumer expectations creating a strong opportunity for a modern, premium retail offering like ours. Our partnership with Ayala combines its deep local knowledge with our operational expertise, providing a strong foundation to grow in a measured way. As we enter this next phase, we’re delighted to be bringing our highquality and fresh offering to a new region,’ Kumar added.

Ayala president and CEO Cezar Consing said the country’s oldest conglomerate was honored to be the first partner of Spinneys as it ventures outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Trade with GCC

‘We hope this investment will catalyze trade and investment between the Philippines and the GCC. At Ayala, we take pride in partnering with some of the world’s leading companies and working alongside them to bring world-class products and services to the Philippines,’ he added.

Retail holding firm Spinneys Holding 1961 has been operating in the UAE since 1961. It became a publicly-listed company in 2024.

Based on its 2024 annual report, it had at least 80 stores in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Revenues last year stood at AED 3.2 billion ($870 million) while net profit amounted to AED 290 million ($78.95 million).

Its core focus is food, with more than 85 percent of retail revenues generated from food products. Within the food segment, it focuses on ‘fresh’ food, which makes up more than 63 percent of total retail revenues.