Transformative Impact: Technology Reshaping West Africa’s Coast, Combating Piracy and Illegal Fishing

The Gulf of Guinea, extending from Senegal to Angola, is a region rich in hydrocarbon, mineral, and fisheries resources, playing a crucial role in international trade routes. Unfortunately, a lack of proper monitoring in the past has allowed various security threats to thrive at sea, including illegal fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, armed robbery, and toxic waste dumping.

In response to these challenges, countries in the Gulf of Guinea took collective action by signing the Yaoundé Code of Conduct in 2013. This commitment aimed to foster cooperation and address maritime security threats effectively. A key component of this initiative is the establishment of the Yaoundé Architecture, a comprehensive framework comprising different divisions that coordinate efforts and facilitate information sharing among the participating nations.

Despite these regional initiatives, the Gulf of Guinea continues to face security challenges, as evidenced by incidents such as record-high crew kidnappings in 2020. This underscores the ongoing need for sustained collaboration, heightened surveillance, and proactive measures to ensure the maritime security and sustainable development of the Gulf of Guinea region. Continued efforts are essential to curbing illegal activities, protecting vital resources, and promoting stability in this strategically significant coastal area.

Since the signing of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct in 2013, notable progress has been made in addressing maritime security threats in West and Central African countries, with technology-driven tools playing a crucial role. Nigeria, once designated a piracy hotspot, was delisted in 2022, primarily attributing this change to the effective use of technology.

These tech tools have enhanced the efficient management and monitoring of the marine environment, fostering improved collaboration and information sharing among law enforcement agencies. The result has been successful interdictions and the prosecution of pirates in the region. This positive impact underscores the transformative potential of technology in bolstering maritime security efforts and mitigating threats at sea in the Gulf of Guinea.

In compliance with international law, cargo and fishing vessels are mandated to have systems that transmit location data. Since the adoption of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, new technology has leveraged this location data to enhance monitoring of the Gulf of Guinea’s waters.

Tools and systems such as Radar, Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information System (Yaris), Sea-Vision, Skylight, and Global Fishing Watch are integrating information from diverse surveillance and location monitoring systems, along with satellite data, to identify suspicious behavior. This integration has significantly improved efforts to counter security threats, providing Gulf countries with heightened awareness of vessel activity and enabling more informed responses to emergencies, including piracy, armed robbery, and oil theft.

The Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola, faces security threats like illegal fishing and piracy. The Yaoundé Code of Conduct, signed in 2013, established the Yaoundé Architecture to address these threats. Recent advancements in technology, such as Radar, Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information System (Yaris), Sea-Vision, Skylight, and Global Fishing Watch, have played a crucial role in monitoring and combating security threats. For example, Nigeria’s deployment of tech tools, including the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability facility and FALCON EYE system, has contributed to reducing piracy and armed robbery at sea, leading to its delisting as a piracy hotspot in 2022. However, challenges include an over-reliance on external tech tools, a lack of ownership leading to sustainability concerns, the need for specific expertise, and vulnerabilities in existing monitoring systems that criminals exploit.

Challenges in maritime security technology include communication difficulties, lack of internet connectivity on some vessels, and low internet speeds. Private operators, especially in the shipping industry, often do not use services provided by regional solutions like the Yaoundé Architecture, opting instead to report incidents to agencies outside the region. This lack of trust and cooperation hampers the effectiveness of regional agencies in addressing maritime security challenges. To enhance security and collaboration in the maritime environment, countries need to improve technological know-how and encourage the use of available technological services by external partners and businesses.