INTERPOL's African Regional Conference: A united front against organised crime

The 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference opened on Wednesday at the Century City Convention in Cape Town, bringing together police chiefs, ministers, and security experts from across the continent to forge a united front against the threat of transnational organised crime.

The biennial conference, one of INTERPOL’s most significant regional gatherings, will conclude on Friday under the theme of leveraging cooperation, innovation, and partnerships.

Delegates from Africa’s 54 countries joined senior INTERPOL officials, African Union representatives, and South African government leaders in charting strategies to combat illicit networks destabilising communities across the continent.

Welcoming delegates, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, said the gathering came at a crucial time.

“We gather not merely as representatives of our countries, but as partners bound by a shared responsibility, to confront the complex and evolving challenges of transnational crime that undermine peace, prosperity, and the rule of law,” he said.

Masemola highlighted South Africa’s battle against cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, firearms proliferation, and illegal mining.

Just last week, authorities destroyed counterfeit medicines and narcotics worth more than R420 million.

“These threats are not unique to us; they echo across the continent, demanding collective and coordinated responses,” he said. “Transnational crime knows no borders, and our response cannot be confined by borders either.”

He urged delegates to remember the human cost of crime: “Behind every crime statistic lies a story of lives shattered, families broken, and communities robbed of their peace. We must remember the silent and anonymous victims: the missing, the exploited, the trafficked, and the vulnerable.”

Delivering his address, Acting Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia stressed that tackling organised crime was not only a security issue, but also a development priority.

“Transnational organised crime remains one of the most serious threats to peace, stability, and development across Africa and beyond,” Cachalia said.

“Its manifestations are diverse: drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit firearms, cybercrime, wildlife crime, money laundering, and terrorism. These crimes transcend borders, exploit technological advances, and undermine the security of our people and the integrity of our states.”

He linked South Africa’s participation in INTERPOL with its constitutional mandate to ensure safety and security. He drew attention to the country’s Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029, which prioritises building a capable, ethical, and developmental state with safe communities at its core.

He also underscored the economic cost of crime, citing the Africa Initiative report, which found the continent loses between $50 and $80 billion annually in illicit financial flows.

“Data sharing and law enforcement liaisons across the continent can be one measure to curb illicit flows, along with integrated operations by various law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Cachalia announced that the conference would establish an INTERPOL African Committee to strengthen structured cooperation initiatives. “We must seize this moment to institutionalise cooperation that is durable, sustainable, and responsive to the realities of our continent,” he urged.

INTERPOL President Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi praised South Africa for hosting and reaffirmed Africa’s central role in global policing.

“The African Regional Conference is not just a bi-yearly gathering. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of partnership that defines INTERPOL’s work on the continent,” Al-Raisi said.

“This year’s theme reflects our shared determination to find solutions together.”

He pointed to operational successes over the past year, including 987 victims rescued, 651 illegal migrants identified, 2,322 criminals arrested, and seizures of 30,000 kilograms of cocaine and millions of doses of illicit pharmaceuticals.

Highlighting Operation Red Card, which dismantled cyber-fraud networks with over 300 arrests, and Operation Serengeti 2, which brought together investigators from 18 countries to combat ransomware and online scams, Al-Raisi said: “The results are clear: African law enforcement has shown the world the strength of regional unity backed by INTERPOL support.”

He also revealed the launch of the fourth edition of the 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, which outlines new threats such as AI-driven fraud.

“Speak clearly this week,” he urged delegates. “Your voices drive our actions, and your priorities shape our support. And remember, when you speak, INTERPOL responds.”

Across the interventions, a clear message emerged: Africa’s fight against organised crime requires stronger institutions, deeper cooperation, and innovative approaches.

Cachalia called for rooting out corruption within law enforcement itself. “It is up to us to ensure that we have leaders who serve with integrity,” he said.

Masemola reinforced the need to harmonise laws and intelligence-sharing systems, while Al-Raisi committed INTERPOL resources to ensure Africa’s priorities guide global policing strategies.

The three-day conference is expected to finalise plans for the proposed INTERPOL African Committee, giving the continent a stronger institutional voice within the organisation.

Closing his address, Masemola said: “This conference is more than a platform to discuss challenges. It is an opportunity to chart a course forward to anticipate, prevent, and neutralise threats before they undermine our progress.”

As Al-Raisi put it: “Africa has stood by me, and I will always stand by Africa. Together, let us carry this spirit forward, strong, united, and determined to shape the future of African security for generations to come.”

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za