The 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference opened Wednesday in Cape Town with a call to intensify cross-border cooperation against transnational organised crime.
The three-day summit, hosted by South Africa’s Ministry of Police and attended by delegates from all 54 African countries, brings together police chiefs, ministers and security experts to confront the growing threat of illicit networks destabilising communities across the continent.
Held under the theme “Leveraging Cooperation, Innovation and Partnerships,” the conference was opened by South Africa’s Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia who stressed the urgency of addressing the scourge of transnational organised crime.
He warned that transnational organised crime posed one of the most serious threats to peace, stability and development across Africa.
“These crimes transcend borders, exploit technological advances and undermine the security of our people and the integrity of our states,” the minister said.
He announced the formation of an INTERPOL African Committee to strengthen structured cooperation and data-sharing among law enforcement agencies.
South Africa’s National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola described the gathering as a critical moment in Africa’s fight against transnational crime.
“These threats are not unique to us; they echo across the continent, demanding collective and coordinated responses,” he said, citing drug trafficking, firearms proliferation, illegal mining and human trafficking as key challenges.
The conference comes amid rising concern over porous borders and the economic cost of crime.
According to the Africa Initiative report, the continent loses between $50 billion and $80 billion annually through illicit financial flows linked to organised crime.
The conference concludes on Friday.
JN/APA