The African Union Commission (AUC) convened a three-day Continental Consultation on Synthetic Drug Supply Reduction under the theme: “Strengthening efforts towards addressing drug trafficking and advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and rule of law in Africa.” The consultation which is being held in Gaborone from 25 – 27 August, 2025, addresses the rising proliferation of synthetic drugs across Africa, including cannabis, kush, methamphetamine, tramadol and other over-the-counter substances, which increasingly impact youth, public health, governance, and social stability. Porous borders, limited intelligence capabilities and evolving trafficking methods exacerbate the challenge, creating conditions for transnational organised crime to expand with minimal detection.

The consultation brings together experts from Member States, policymakers and international partners, including United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), AFRIPOL, INTERPOL, World Customs Organization, Universal Postal Union, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Indian Ocean Commission and Regional Economic Communities, among others. Delegates aim to strengthen collective responses, harmonise drug control legislation, expand forensic laboratory capacity, enhance strategic deployment of K-9 units with specialised training, establish sustainable financing mechanisms and update national drug control strategies to remain responsive to emerging trends in synthetic drug production and trafficking.

His Excellency Advocate Duma Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, in his keynote address, described the proliferation of synthetic drugs as occurring at “pandemic velocity”. He underscored the urgency of continental and global collaboration. ‘’Increasing sophistication of trafficking methods and the need for modernised detection capabilities, integrated data collection and analysis and robust intelligence-sharing to inform evidence-based legislation and reinforce public health and national security systems will bring down illicit drug networks that are primarily organised cartels and power blocs capable of undermining governance and destabilising institutions’’ highlighted President Boko.  

Hon. Moeti C. Mohwasa, the Minister for State President, in his welcoming remarks emphasised the urgency of collective continental action. He underscored that Africa faces unprecedented challenges as synthetic drug production, trafficking and consumption rise, threatening public health, security, economic stability and social cohesion. ‘’This consultation provides a vital platform for sharing technical expertise, harmonising regional approaches and developing a coordinated African framework to reduce drug supply, disrupt organised criminal networks and safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly youth’’ said Minister Mohwasa.

Intelligence-led interventions and evidence-based policymaking are essential to mitigate the transnational threat of synthetic drugs. In 2023 Botswana as host officially inaugurated its Drug Enforcement Agency as a national initiative leading awareness campaign outreach programme, personnel capacity building to detect and dismantle trafficking networks effectively and enhancing law enforcement capabilities as well as facilitating actionable solutions that can be implemented across Member States.

H.E. Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, highlighted the multidimensional threat posed by synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, Captagon and fentanyl. She emphasised how these substances constitute both a public health crisis and a security, governance and development threat, due to low production costs, ease of concealment and exploitation of digital markets, “AU’s Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019–2025), with the 2026–2030 revision, incorporates emerging trends in organised crime and focuses on both demand and supply reduction’’ the Commissioner indicated. Insights from the Gaborone consultation will guide a continental roadmap prioritising early warning systems, intelligence-led enforcement, legal frameworks, evidence-based policymaking and enhanced regional coordination.

The US Ambassador to Botswana, Howard Van Vranken, stressed the critical need for multilateral interventions, noting the increasing potency and ease of production of synthetic drugs, which amplifies their public health and societal impact. He cited 87,000 U.S. drug overdose fatalities in the past year as a stark indicator of the global challenge. ‘’The proliferation and chemical diversity of synthetic drugs create significant challenges for law enforcement, particularly in detection, identification and seizure, complicating national and regional responses’’ Ambassador Van Vranken reaffirmed. Also committing his government’s support for AU Global Coalition Continental Consultation.

The consultation further included technical contributions from Dr. Angela Me, Chief of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch at UNODC, and Dr. Zukiswa Zingela, INCB board member, underscoring the international and technical significance of the meeting.

The outcomes of the consultation are expected to inform actionable recommendations on the establishment of comprehensive early warning systems, enhanced intelligence-led enforcement mechanisms, harmonized legal frameworks and strengthened regional coordination. These measures aim to increase the continent’s operational capacity to respond effectively to synthetic drug trafficking, protect youth, safeguard public health and uphold governance and rule of law. The consultation reflects a commitment to evidence-based interventions, regional cooperation and the creation of sustainable mechanisms to counter the evolving threat posed by synthetic drugs in Africa.

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For further information, please contact:

Dr. Olubusayo Akinola | Head of Division, Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Social Welfare | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail AkinolaO@africanunion.org   

Mr. King David Cartey | Strategic Communication Expert| Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail CarteyD@africanunion.org   

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Faith Adhiambo Ochiang | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail:  OchiangJ@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.