The illicit trade robs governments in the Global South — including Somalia, Malawi, and Mozambique — of massive amounts of tax revenue every year while undermining medical, environmental and economic health. Aside from food, the African sector most critical for the continent’s sustainable development, energy, is also gravely impacted by the scourge of illicit trading. According to the SICPA report, $133 billion worth of fuels is either stolen, illegally refined and imported or otherwise falsified globally, with Africa on the frontlines. Tackling rampant illicit trading in Africa’s health, food and energy sectors is thus an urgent priority. Beyond traceability, regional regulatory harmonization measures are critical in closing cross-border legislative and judiciary gaps that criminal groups exploit.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 21, 2023 11:02 UTC