Jihadist groups operating in Nigeria and the Sahel are increasingly deploying weaponised commercial drones and soliciting bitcoin donations, according to a briefing delivered to the UN Security Council on 14 July 2026.
The report highlights a dangerous technological escalation in the region’s conflict landscape, where non-state actors are leveraging accessible technology to enhance their operational capabilities.
The shift towards drone warfare and cryptocurrency financing marks a significant evolution in how these groups conduct attacks and sustain their operations.
Commercial drones, readily available on the global market, are being modified for military use, allowing for more precise and devastating strikes against security forces and civilian targets.
Simultaneously, the adoption of bitcoin as a fundraising tool provides these groups with a layer of financial anonymity that traditional banking systems cannot offer, complicating efforts by international bodies to track and disrupt their funding streams.
This development underscores the growing challenge of regulating dual-use technologies in conflict zones.