Ethiopia’s main opposition Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have been accused of involvement in human trafficking networks and generating at least $4,500 per person.
Speaking at the 4th Anti-Illicit Trade Summit organized by the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, Boneya Lemma, Director of Illicit Trade and Tax Intelligence within NISS said on Tuesday that the activity has been used as a major source of financing for TPLF’s armed operations.
Lemma said investigations show that armed groups previously believed to rely largely on Diaspora funding are instead drawing substantial income from domestic contraband activities.
The intelligence service also accused the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), another armed group in the Eastern Africa country, of gold smuggling, narcotics trade and fuel contraband across parts of the country.
According to NISS, illegal fuel distribution in border towns such as Moyale is expanding amid what officials described as weak coordination and limited inspection of licensed operators.
NISS said Fano, an ethno-nationalist Amhara militia, currently fighting the government in Amhara region has also established connection to illicit trading networks.
NISS said trafficking and contraband routes extend beyond Ethiopia’s borders, alleging cooperation with actors in Eritrea.
Beyond security concerns, the intelligence service raised questions about oversight in the financial system. It said regulators lack adequate technical capacity and monitoring systems.
Several betting companies were recently shut down over alleged fraud and illicit fund transfers, with officials stating that the National Bank of Ethiopia had limited control of their operations.
NISS also alleged that supervisory bodies do not systematically verify information submitted by microfinance institutions. Significant funds have been channeled into digital wallet platforms and crypto currency exchanges, including Binance.
Authorities are now pushing for governance reforms supported by technology, including border-level oversight mechanisms, supply chain monitoring systems and GPS tracking for trucks travelling beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
MG/as/APA