New partnership aims to strengthen global digital safety governance by connecting African and Japanese expertise with international policy and standards-setting efforts.
The Trust and Safety Africa Academy (TSAA) and the Japan Trust & Safety Association (JTSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership dedicated to advancing global digital trust and safety.
At a time when emerging technologies and cross-border digital risks are reshaping online ecosystems, this alliance seeks to bridge African and Japanese expertise—connecting diverse local insights from both regions to global conversations on safety governance and international standards.
Areas of Collaboration
Under the MoU, TSAA and JTSA will pursue collaboration across several domains, including:
- Capacity building through joint workshops and practitioner training
- Comparative research on regional risks such as scams, misinformation, child safety, and AI-driven harms
- Professional exchanges to deepen understanding of local contexts and operational best practices
- Contribution to global standards, bringing regional insights into international safety frameworks such as those emerging around AI governance and digital risk management
Together, the two organizations aim to contribute to a more inclusive, diverse, and globally informed trust & safety ecosystem.
Leadership Comments
Emmanuel Adinkra, Executive Director of TSAA, commented: “This partnership marks a significant step toward rebalancing the global trust and safety landscape. Africa and Japan bring distinct but complementary strengths from community-rooted safety responses to advanced technological innovation. By working together, we can shape safety standards that reflect real experiences on the ground and ensure that global governance frameworks include voices that have historically been underrepresented. TSAA is proud to collaborate with JTSA in building a safer, more resilient digital future for all.”
Takeaki Kanaya, Representative Director of JTSA, stated: “We are excited to launch this partnership, which brings African and Japanese perspectives together and connects them directly to global Trust & Safety dialogue. As cross-border risks accelerate, the world needs safety frameworks shaped by diverse regional experiences and grounded in the realities faced across different parts of the globe. JTSA remains committed to working with partners like TSAA to build a more inclusive, globally representative, and resilient digital safety ecosystem for all.”
Next Steps
TSAA and JTSA will begin joint activities in early 2026, with further details to be announced as the partnership progresses.
About TSAA
The Trust and Safety Africa Academy (TSAA) is a pioneering training and research institution dedicated to building local talent and advancing digital safety across the African continent. Through practitioner-driven training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and applied research, TSAA equips students, professionals, institutions, and communities with the skills needed to navigate emerging online harms, AI-driven risks, and platform governance challenges. TSAA works at the intersection of digital rights, safety operations, and policy, helping expand Africa’s leadership in global trust and safety conversations and strengthening the ecosystem that protects users online.
About JTSA
The Japan Trust & Safety Association (JTSA) is Japan’s first cross-industry organization dedicated to advancing online trust and safety. JTSA brings together leading technology companies, platforms, researchers, and civil society partners to strengthen responses to emerging digital risks and promote the adoption of global best practices and standards. Through research, capacity building, and collaboration with peer organizations in Japan and abroad, JTSA supports efforts to build safer and more trustworthy digital ecosystems for all users.
