West and Central Africa are experiencing a period of change in the drug market. This is the conclusion of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regional report 2026, presented on Friday 26 June in Dakar. Region – center Known for its global trade, it is gradually becoming a production zone while new substances are gaining popularity.
Published: 06/27/2026 – 11:46Modified: 06/27/2026 – 17:42.
2 min. Reading time
With our correspondent in Dakar: Pauline Le Troquier
As global cocaine production surges, traffickers are seeking to bypass known roadblocks and new routes are emerging. This is the first observation by UNODC.
Previously limited to the tip of West Africa. by using In Cape Verde and Senegal, flows gradually move south, from the Gulf of Guinea to Central Africa.
” Coinciding with these intensified flows is an increase in seizures and volumes in countries that were previously only marginally affected by the phenomenon, notably Cameroon, which reported seizing 1 ton of cocaine in February 2026. โ, emphasizes Franรงois Patuel, Head of Research and Communications, Regional Office for West and Central Africa, UNODC.
Production region
Changing the role of the region. Thus, West and Central Africa is no longer just a transit zone between Latin America and Europe, it is also a production region. This year, for example, Nigeria dismantled two methamphetamine laboratories.
” There are also cocaine laboratories that have been dismantled, in particular in Senegal and Niger. That is, all this is already changing the regionโs position in the supply chain. โadds researcher Franรงois Patuel.
New synthetic drugs are gaining popularity
In addition to cannabis, which continues to dominate in terms of consumption and seizures in the region, new synthetic drugs are becoming increasingly common. Mixtures also occur, such as jackpota mixture of plant substances with synthetic cannabinoids, known for its destructive effects in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
“Today we have many consumer associations who, for example, tell us more about the consumption of ecstasy. This is a new phenomenon. โ, reveals the Head of Research and Communications of the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa.
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This increasingly discreet use continues to largely escape the radar of associations and makes it more difficult to identify and treat people with drug addiction.
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