Botswana will next week host a high-level African Union (AU) conference aimed at curbing synthetic drug trafficking, drawing delegates from 40 African countries to Gaborone.
The conference, slated for 25-27 August and convened by Botswana’s Drug Enforcement Agency in partnership with the AU Commission, is part of a continental push to strengthen supply reduction strategies and bolster public health and security responses.
In a statement on Thursday, the Botswana government said the Gaborone consultation is expected to focus on coordinated, multisectoral approaches to disrupt illicit manufacturing, detect emerging drug threats and strengthen legal frameworks.
“The purpose … is to strengthen the synthetic drug supply reduction efforts towards addressing the drug trafficking and advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and rule of law in Africa,” the statement said.
Delegates are expected to explore ways to enhance border security, improve surveillance systems and expand treatment and prevention services.
The African Union Global Coalition Continental Consultation on Synthetic Drug Supply Reduction forms a key component of the AU’s Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019–2025).
The plan aims to address the growing threat of synthetic drug use and trafficking that has escalated across Africa in recent years, undermining health systems, fuelling organised crime and destabilising communities.
Synthetic drugs such as tramadol, methamphetamine and new psychoactive substances have surged in availability and misuse, often outpacing regulatory and enforcement capacities.
According to the AU’s Pan African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (PAENDU), the continent faces rising cases of non-medical use of pharmaceuticals, with children as young as nine receiving treatment for substance use disorders.
PAENDU’s data also shows a troubling increase in opioid abuse and early initiation of drug use, particularly in West, Central and Southern Africa.
Officials say the Gaborone conference is a critical step toward building a unified continental response to synthetic drug trafficking, rooted in evidence-based policy and regional cooperation.
The outcomes are expected to inform future legislative and operational strategies under Agenda 2063, the AU’s blueprint for inclusive and sustainable development.
JN/APA