African institutions and global health officials are calling for stronger action against the illicit tobacco trade, warning that illegal flows are undermining public revenue, governance and stability across the continent.
The push came as global tobacco control negotiations in Geneva ended with new commitments to curb illicit trade, strengthen cooperation among nations and hold the tobacco industry accountable.
Delegates at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the WHO tobacco treaty and the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to its Protocol on Illicit Trade adopted measures addressing environmental harm, industry liability, international cooperation, sustainable financing, licensing and supply chain controls.
Parties also directed the Convention Secretariat, alongside the World Customs Organization and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, to map global data on seizures of tobacco, tobacco products and manufacturing equipment to improve efforts to combat illicit trade.
African delegates used the talks to highlight the continent’s growing vulnerability. The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), recently accepted as an observer to the protocol, urged stronger scientific, technical and institutional capacity across national and regional institutions.
“We observed, from both Parties and observers, a pressing need to strengthen scientific, technical and institutional capacities for the effective implementation of the Protocol at national, regional and international levels,” said Daouda Elhadj Adam, ACBF tobacco control expert.
“I draw the attention of Parties to the need to strengthen multisectoral cooperation, both regional and international, to improve the level of implementation of the Protocol,” he added.
Illicit tobacco accounts for an estimated 11% of the global market and costs governments about $47 billion a year. In Africa, experts warned that illegal tobacco flows weaken public finances and governance and, in some cases, help fund armed groups and criminal networks.
Andrew Black, acting head of the secretariat of the global tobacco treaty, said the preparation, production, distribution or sale of tobacco products outside legal and tax systems is more than a revenue issue.
“Illicit trade in tobacco products is not a victimless crime,” he said at the conclusion of MOP4. “It robs governments of vital resources, undermines public health … fuels corruption, money laundering and organized crime.”
African experts pointed to regional efforts such as the African Continental Free Trade Area as promising tools to disrupt smuggling through harmonized customs procedures, improved data sharing, stronger border controls and coordinated enforcement.
Elhadj Adam said closer cooperation with African regional economic communities, along with expanded capacity building and data sharing, is essential for effective implementation of the protocol.
The African Union Commission attended the global tobacco control meetings for the first time, reflecting increased regional engagement.
The participation of the African Union Commission and Africa CDC at COP11 marked a turning point in the continent’s engagement. It followed ongoing collaboration with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), building on a joint dialogue on tobacco control held in July 2025.
African delegates also sought additional protections against tobacco industry interference and more investment in sustainable financing for tobacco control.
“Together, it is possible to build more resilient, appropriate and more transparent systems capable of protecting current and future generations from the devastating effects of tobacco consumption,” Elhadj Adam said.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control includes 183 parties. The next global sessions will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, in 2027.
GENEVA, Switzerland – Bantu Gazette
Reported by Felix Tih
