Kenya Tops East Africa as Organised Crime Threatens Continent’s Economies
Let's Talk Updated: 29 January 2026 23:58 EAT
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Libya have emerged as the leading African countries affected by organised crime and illicit financial activities, according to the latest ENACT Africa Organised Crime Index.
The report highlights the prevalence of “wash‑wash” schemes, money laundering, and organised criminal networks in these nations, underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
The DRC tops the index, reflecting widespread criminal networks, weak state oversight, and high levels of illicit activity across multiple sectors, including resource exploitation and cross-border smuggling.
South Africa and Nigeria follow closely, with entrenched criminal markets, corruption, and sophisticated organised crime syndicates that operate both domestically and internationally.
Kenya ranks fourth in Africa overall and first in East Africa, the report notes, due to its role as a regional trade hub and exposure to financial crimes, cyber-enabled fraud, and money-laundering activities.
Libya completes the top five, where political instability and a fractured governance system have allowed organised crime networks to flourish, particularly in human trafficking, arms smuggling, and financial crime.
The ENACT Index measures criminality through three main pillars: the prevalence of criminal markets, the strength and reach of criminal actors, and the vulnerability of states to organised crime.
According to the report, countries with higher scores indicate pervasive organised crime environments, with more sophisticated and entrenched criminal networks.
Experts warn that the high ranking of these African nations could have significant economic and social consequences, deterring investment and complicating law enforcement efforts.
ENACT recommends strengthening cross-border cooperation, regulatory oversight, and capacity building for law enforcement to address both traditional organised crime and emerging financial crimes effectively.
The report serves as a reminder that combating organised crime in Africa requires coordinated policy responses, regional partnerships, and robust financial intelligence systems to mitigate the impact of illicit activity on development and governance.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD