UN highlights Sub-Saharan Africa as key region for illicit wildlife trade

A herd of wild Asiatic elephants is grazing near a wetland in Thakurkuchi village, on the outskirts of Guwahati, India, on April 1, 2024. (Photo by Anuwar Hazarika/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE

Source: X07413

Sub-Saharan Africa has emerged as a hub for illicit trade routes, with about 19% of seizures of wildlife materials worldwide being found in the region.

According to a World Wildlife Crime Report 2024, Illegal wildlife trade surged within the region between 2015 and 2021 with animal species including pangolins being one of the most affected, comprising 32% of seizures.

Elephants also fall in the category of illegally traded wildlife species, with about 6% having been exploited for their tusks and meat, according to the report. Other species including corals and carnivores are trafficked within the region.

Projects including Disrupt led by Interpol and UNODC, have revealed how interconnected criminal networks operate in the field of wildlife quality.

East Africa saw mass prosecutions of elephant ivory traffickers in 2018, which led to a switch by illegal traders to exporting ivory from Europe.

A World Bank survey revealed that over $1.3 billion was allocated to tackle illegal wildlife trade in Africa and Asia from January 2010 to June 2016, averaging $190 million annually. The funding supported projects in 60 countries and various regional and global initiatives.

Out of this, 63% ($833 million) was directed to Africa, 29% ($381 million) to Asia, 6% ($81 million) to global programs, and 2% ($35 million) to projects on both continents.

The top five recipients, receiving a combined $328 million, were Tanzania (8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5%), Mozambique (5%), Gabon (3%), and Bangladesh (3%).

The study was conducted in collaboration with the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) in partnership with Cites, Interpol, the World Bank, and the World Customs Organisation.

Wonder Hagan