Human trafficking in Africa: children are the primary victims, according to a UN report

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Oct 4
2 min read

A new global report from the United Nations reveals that children make up the majority of victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Africa. Presented in Rabat, the report highlights the root causes of this scourge and calls for concerted action across the continent.

Rabat, October 3, 2025 – Children are the main victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in Africa, warns the Global Trafficking in Persons Report 2024 (GLOTIP) presented this Friday at the headquarters of the African Migration Observatory (OAM) in Rabat.

According to Fabrizio Sarrica , coordinator of research on human trafficking and migrant smuggling at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) , “children represent the majority of victims of trafficking within national borders or between neighbouring countries”.

Trafficking flows from Africa are mainly detected in Europe and the Middle East , the report states, identifying two major forms of the phenomenon on the continent: the trafficking of children for forced labor and that of adults along migration routes .

Children, both girls and boys, are exploited primarily in forced labor , followed by begging , forced marriages , and sexual exploitation .

Aggravating factors include persistent conflicts , climate change , poor governance , and artisanal and small-scale mining , which exacerbate the vulnerability of populations.

The director of the OAM, Namira Negm , praised Morocco 's efforts in combating human trafficking, highlighting the implementation of a National Immigration and Asylum Strategy and the regularization of thousands of sub-Saharan migrants , an initiative which "undoubtedly contributes to fighting this scourge".

Ms. Negm also noted that 80% of Africans move within the continent , where many find themselves in vulnerable situations, exposed to exploitation and trafficking.

Organized in collaboration with UNODC, this meeting provided an opportunity to present the conclusions of the special chapter dedicated to Africa , based on data from 40 African member states . It also highlighted national legislative gaps and the urgent need for coordinated action to combat human trafficking on the continent.

With Mapexpress