Natalie Cowling
Research Expert South Africa
Organized crime in East and Southern Africa - statistics & facts
Organized crime involves a range of crimes committed by groups of people who work together, intending to generate illegal revenue for repeated collective gain. Essentially, these criminal syndicates flourish in an environment where instability and conflict are present. According to the organized crime index in Africa, the region of East Africa had the highest levels of criminality on the continent in 2023. Conversely, Southern Africa scored the lowest and was the only African mainland to score below the global average. On the other hand, South Africa attained the third-highest organized crime index among all African countries, the highest in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Another country in East Africa known to have a large market for human trafficking is Kenya. According to the UN, the country has emerged as a hub for human trafficking due to it being one of the main transit points in Africa.
South Africa has recently been experiencing an increase in wildlife crimes, with fauna crimes having the second-highest criminal index score. A combination of missing law enforcement, poverty, and corruption provides a conducive environment for highly organized criminal networks to operate.
Human trafficking and human smuggling in East Africa
Human trafficking is one of the most prevalent types of crime in East Africa. In 2023, Eritrea registered the highest score for human smuggling and trafficking in the crime index. The country has not made any profound effort to combat human trafficking. As a result, Eritrea was ranked at human trafficking tier level three. Moreover, the country has capped the number of passports being issued, forcing officials to seek other travel methods, usually becoming susceptible to human traffickers.Another country in East Africa known to have a large market for human trafficking is Kenya. According to the UN, the country has emerged as a hub for human trafficking due to it being one of the main transit points in Africa.
Wildlife crimes are widespread in Southern Africa
In Southern Africa, fauna crimes are the biggest criminal market. Fauna crimes involve organized criminal groups or individuals who poach animals, transport them, or smuggle prohibited animal products to profit financially from selling them. Mozambique’s criminal index scores for fauna and flora crimes (such as forbidden large-scale logging operations) were exceptionally high. The illegal harvesting of timber, wildlife trafficking, and unregulated fishing contribute greatly to the erosion of biodiversity and natural resources in the country, and this poses a major problem for the rural majority who are financially dependent on them.South Africa has recently been experiencing an increase in wildlife crimes, with fauna crimes having the second-highest criminal index score. A combination of missing law enforcement, poverty, and corruption provides a conducive environment for highly organized criminal networks to operate.
