East Africa stands out with the highest Crime Index (6.02), but North Africa is also rising the fastest (+0.57 since 2019). West Africa (5.49) remains deeply exposed, while Central Africa (5.16) sits in a persistent middle ground of instability. Southern Africa, though lowest at 4.88, is still trending upward.
Organised crime thrives where governance gaps, conflict spillovers, and economic stress intersect. In East Africa, trafficking networks — ranging from human smuggling routes through the Horn to illicit trade linked to conflict zones — continue to expand.
North Africa’s sharp rise reflects growing roles as transit hubs for migration and drug flows into Europe, amplified by political instability in parts of the region. Meanwhile, West Africa’s long-standing exposure to piracy, drug trafficking, and informal economies keeps its index elevated, even if growth has been slower recently.
