We are proud to team up with the African Union Commission's Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) to make the digital world safer for all of us here in Africa. This partnership couldn't come at a better time. We all know how much our lives revolve around the internet these days, and it’s crucial that we stay safe online.

TikTok and the African Union Commission (AUC) are joining forces to tackle these challenges faced by young people on online platforms, head-on.

We're kicking things off with the Africa-wide #SaferTogether campaign, which launched in Ghana on March 14th at the inaugural TikTok Safer Internet Summit. This campaign is all about spreading awareness and teaching everyone – including youth, parents and educators – how to stay safe online. This partnership marks the beginning of a multi-year commitment to diverse markets within Africa, with plans to create content tailored to local languages and cultures, ensuring widespread relevance and impact.

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Government Relations & Public Policy Director, TikTok, Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted this collaboration's strategic nature: “Our #SaferTogether partnership with the African Union Commission's Women, Gender and Youth Directorate reinforces TikTok's deep commitment to the diverse tapestry of markets across Africa. Through initiatives like our educational workshops, and the development of comprehensive safety toolkits, we are committed to nurturing a digitally safe environment for all.”

Echoing this sentiment, Ms. Prudence Nonkululeko Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate African Union, lauded the partnership as a vital step towards empowering Africa’s youth and safeguarding their digital futures. “The #SaferTogether campaign launch with TikTok is in line with the African Union’s ongoing efforts to promote and advocate for not only safe online experiences for young people in Africa, but also their mental well-being through the 1 Million Next Level Initiative. While access to the internet can help children and young people stay connected, improve their digital literacy, and diversify their livelihoods, it is crucial that they are provided with a safe environment to reap the benefits of digital platforms.”

Through continental frameworks and initiatives such as the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa and the 1 Million Next Level Initiative, AUC aims to not only champion increased access to digital platforms for young people, but to also promote their safe use to address issues related to unsafe internet use. We've got strict Community Guidelines and robust moderation policies in place to keep our community safe and inclusive. We continue to encourage active user participation in safeguarding the community, urging users to report any content that violates guidelines and engage with one another in a respectful manner. Should you ever come across something that doesn't feel right, you can report it, and we'll address it.

As we embark on this journey with the AUC, we wish to reaffirm our collective promise to create a more inclusive, safer online community for Africa’s youth. Through the fusion of technology and education, this partnership will equip young individuals with the tools and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the digital realm with wisdom and safety.