West African countries are earning global praise for stepping up efforts to combat illicit trade. According to the 2025 Illicit Trade Index, Côte d’Ivoire leads the ECOWAS region and ranks fifth across Africa for its commitment to tackling illegal markets.
The report by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade assessed 158 countries based on key indicators like narcotics trafficking, counterfeit goods, and illegal resource trading. Côte d’Ivoire stood out for its strong legislation and multisectoral strategies.
Other West African countries recognized in the report include Ghana, The Gambia, Togo, and Senegal, all of which have adopted proactive policies to disrupt criminal trade networks.
With a scale of 0 to 100, the index offers a comprehensive look at how well governments are addressing this global challenge — and West Africa appears to be making solid progress.
