Africa-linked organised crime is a growing threat for Europe. The phenomenon embraces a broad array of organised crime groups, criminal networks and criminal markets. Debate on the topic is highly polarised and marked by knowledge gaps. This paper seeks to shed light on the challenge, drawing on field research and case studies from Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

About the authors

Daniel Brombacher is the director of the Observatory of Organized Crime in Europe at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). He has authored and edited many articles and books on organised crime, drug economies, drug policy and development.

Ruggero Scaturro is a senior analyst at the GI-TOC and a PhD candidate in criminal justice and security in Slovenia. His research focuses on Western Europe and the Western Balkans. In 2023, he published a book on Albanian-speaking criminal networks in Italy.

Sarah Fares is a senior analyst at the GI-TOC, where she works with the Observatory of Organized Crime in Europe. As an Open Source Intelligence specialist, she focuses on monitoring the region’s online markets for drugs and other illicit commodities.

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