Ethiopian Police University Joins INTERPOL’s Global Academy Network

October 31, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Ethiopian Police University has joined INTERPOL’s Global Academy Network, opening opportunities for the institution to access international police training programmes, research collaboration and advanced technologies for investigating cybercrime and other cross-border offences.

The membership was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed by Demelash Gebremichael, commissioner-general of the Ethiopian Federal Police, and Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL’s secretary-general.

The agreement will give the university access to INTERPOL’s e-learning platforms, digital forensics technologies and specialised cybercrime investigation training. It will also facilitate exchanges between instructors and trainers, joint research and professional development programmes.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gebremichael said the membership would help align the university’s educational standards with international benchmarks and strengthen institutional capacity. He also described the agreement as strategically important for East Africa.

He said the growing use of modern technologies by criminal networks and the increasingly cross-border nature of organised crime made international cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations essential.

Gebremichael also acknowledged INTERPOL’s previous support in providing capacity-building training to Ethiopian police officers through its Virtual Academy and assisting efforts to track down and prosecute individuals involved in cross-border human trafficking.

INTERPOL Secretary-General Valdecy Urquiza praised Ethiopia's contribution to the organisation over the past 70 years and its role in regional cooperation.

He said the agreement would strengthen the capacity of Ethiopian law enforcement institutions to provide training and support in line with international standards.

Urquiza also highlighted the need for stronger regional cooperation to combat transnational crime, noting that Africa's economic growth was attracting the attention of international criminal networks. He said INTERPOL would continue supporting law enforcement agencies in the region through access to its databases and capacity-building programmes.

Ethiopian Police University President Tamrat Mulugeta said membership would help the institution align its training programmes with INTERPOL's international standards and expand access to specialised training, international expertise and joint research.

The university also expects to strengthen its capacity in cybercrime investigation and digital forensics, while developing its role as a regional centre for police education and cross-border crime investigation in East Africa.

Source: FSX Business News