Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

This policy sets out Edfrica Solutions Limited’s commitment to protecting the wellbeing of everyone who takes part in our programmes, with particular emphasis on children aged 3–15 who use TLab, our gamified STEAM platform. It applies to all staff, volunteers, consultants, and partners engaged in Edfrica-run activities.

Edfrica maintains an active Safeguarding / SEAH (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment) policy across all grant-funded and donor-facing programming. We have zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, or harassment of any participant, and we hold everyone acting on Edfrica’s behalf to this standard.

• The best interests of the child guide every decision
• Every child has an equal right to protection, regardless of background
• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, not just designated staff
• Concerns are taken seriously, recorded, and acted on promptly

All staff, volunteers, and consultants working directly with children are subject to a code of conduct, background screening appropriate to their role, and safeguarding orientation before engaging with programme participants.

• Accounts for children require verifiable parental or guardian consent
• We do not permit unmoderated direct messaging between child accounts
• Content and community features are moderated for age-appropriateness
• We collect only the minimum personal data needed to run the platform

Any staff member, parent, guardian, or participant with a safeguarding concern should report it immediately to contact@edfrica.org. Reports are treated confidentially, and no one raising a genuine concern in good faith will face retaliation.

Every report is reviewed promptly by a designated safeguarding lead. Where a concern indicates risk of harm, we will take appropriate action, which may include referral to the relevant statutory authorities in Nigeria.

This policy is owned by Edfrica’s leadership team and reviewed at least annually, or sooner if required by changes in law, donor requirements, or lessons learned from practice.