Guinea

People

Guinea serves as a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking. The most prevalent forms of exploitation include forced labour – particularly in the mining sector and domestic work – and sexual exploitation. These practices are often facilitated by loosely organized criminal networks, sometimes involving extended family members who mislead victims with promises of education or care. Quranic school teachers have also been implicated in cases of forced child begging. Children from rural areas of Middle and Upper Guinea are especially vulnerable. Key trafficking routes and destinations include the coastal region of Boké and towns such as Koundara. Child sex trafficking is reportedly widespread in mining towns like Siguiri and Kankan. Guinea also serves as a transit country for West African children trafficked into working in regional artisanal mining. Guinean nationals – especially women and children – are also subject to exploitation abroad, particularly in Western Asia. Within Guinea, non-citizens, including workers from North Korea and China, have reportedly faced exploitative conditions.

Human smuggling in Guinea has evolved, with the country acting as both a source and transit hub. Over the past two years a growing number of Guinean nationals use the Atlantic maritime smuggling route from coastal cities in Senegal or Mauritania to the Canary Islands. An alternative route linking Guinea with the US – via countries like Senegal, Türkiye, Colombia, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico – experienced a brief increase, but as transit countries introduced visa requirements it has decreased. Informal smuggling networks operate primarily from neighbourhoods in Conakry, using social media to recruit migrants and facilitate their travel. These networks collaborate with foreign actors and are alleged to have received support from politicians and corrupt officials in the form of false documentation to aid migration and asylum processes. The high demand for these services among young Guineans seeking better lives has sustained this criminal market.

On the other hand, extortion and protection racketeering are virtually absent in Guinea, with no incidents reported in recent years.

Trade

Artisanal Guinean arms manufacturing feeds local demand and neighbouring states. Weapons are transported through Guinea into Mali, including for the Wagner Group. Some arms circulating in the region reportedly come from past conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia. There is also reported demand among local hunters in Forest Guinea and low-level trafficking in mining areas like Siguiri, Kankan and Mandiana.

Counterfeit goods – particularly medical products – have a deeply entrenched market. The illicit pharmaceutical market enjoys broad social legitimacy due to affordability issues and mistrust in generic medicines. As such, the majority of the medical market in Guinea is made up of counterfeit products, including antimalarials, antibiotics and antiretrovirals, primarily imported from overseas, including India and China. Criminal networks which facilitate the trade are made up of structured chains of importers, transporters, middlemen, wholesalers and street vendors who are assisted by corrupt actors working in the health sector and customs enforcement. Smuggled products enter Guinea primarily by sea or air and are cleared through customs with fraudulent declarations or rebranding. The Madina market in Conakry acts as the central distribution hub, from where goods are subsequently moved across the region to Senegal, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire. Beyond pharmaceuticals, counterfeit fabric imports – predominantly from Asia – are prevalent. Items like Lépi, Kendeli, Sacred Forest and Bakha textiles are commonly sold in Guinean markets, with the Avaria market in Conakry serving as a key distribution point.

The illicit trade in excisable goods is present but remains relatively limited. Guinea functions mainly as a transit country for cigarettes, with flows moving to Mali, Senegal and Liberia. Some Guinean brands have also been implicated in the illicit tobacco trade in neighbouring countries. The market is facilitated by porous borders, weak enforcement, corruption among customs officials and involvement of local businesses.

Environment

Flora crimes are notable, with illegal logging – especially of rosewood – being a major issue. Logging occurs primarily in Mamou, Gaoual and forested Guinea and is often facilitated by criminal networks and corrupt officials, including those from environmental ministries and customs. Despite a regional (2022) and national ban (2013) on rosewood exports, Guinea was granted an exemption in 2021 to sell its pre-2013 stock, which has reportedly been used to conceal continued illegal logging. Timber is trafficked overseas, including to China, while widespread informal harvesting of mangrove wood is primarily used for local construction and charcoal production. These practices contribute to habitat destruction, climate change and threaten endangered species such as African forest elephants and manatees.

Guinea is a hub for international wildlife trafficking. Fauna crimes include poaching of endangered species like the African forest elephant, western chimpanzee and pangolins, which are typically trafficked to China. Additionally, Guinean songbirds are trafficked to Europe through transit countries like Serbia and the Netherlands. While the country has made legislative efforts to address wildlife trafficking in recent years, it continues to be flagged for compliance issues by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regarding the illegal wildlife trafficking, suggesting the illicit trade persists.

Guinea is heavily involved in non-renewable resource crimes, notably in gold and bauxite mining. The country is both a source and an export hub for illicit gold, with smuggling routes extending to and from Mali. Gold is smuggled to Guinea for its tax advantages and is often rerouted to international destinations such as the United Arab Emirates. Foreign actors have also been implicated in illegal mining operations in regions such as Siguiri in the north-east. The extractive sector, including bauxite, gold and diamonds, is a major industry in Guinea and is marred by opacity and corruption. Allegations have emerged of export volumes being under-reported and corrupt dealings between foreign companies and the Guinean authorities.

Drugs

The heroin trade is virtually non-existent in Guinea, with no recent reports of significant activity.

Guinea plays a growing role in the cocaine trade, acting as a logistics and redistribution hub for shipments from South America to Europe. Cocaine enters primarily by sea, but land and air routes – including Conakry airport – are also used. Seizures have risen in recent years, both of bulk maritime consignments and smaller smuggling by individuals. Following the September 2021 coup, the fragmentation of political networks which had previously provided protection may have contributed to the increase in interdictions. Guinean actors, some linked to state institutions, remain involved. Guinea-based traffickers reportedly collaborate with international groups from Syria, Spain and Nigeria.

Cannabis is trafficked and locally cultivated in Guinea, with the country serving primarily as a transit zone. Forecariah and Mamou are key locations for production and distribution. The scale of seizures, especially at the Guinea–Sierra Leone border, suggests a well-developed domestic and cross-border trade network.

Synthetic drug trafficking in Guinea centres on Tramadol and ‘kush’, a drug consisting of synthetic cannabinoids or nitazenes (potent synthetic opioids). Tramadol is widely consumed by miners for its analgesic effects to increase their endurance, with major consumption sites including Kankan, Siguiri, Mandiana,and Kounsitel. Kush – smuggled in from Sierra Leone – has gained popularity, particularly among young and low-income populations, leading to significant health and social consequences.

Cyber Crimes

Cyber-dependent crimes are not yet widespread in Guinea. However, isolated incidents targeting key infrastructure have emerged in recent years, indicating a gradual increase in exposure to cyber threats.

Financial Crimes

Financial crime is a major issue in Guinea, with several cases of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds reported in recent years. These have included the misuse of resources for various public procurements. In addition, the country is beset by other forms of financial crime, such as fraudulent investment pyramid schemes which recruited a large number of people on the promise of high returns. Once exposed, they resulted in substantial financial losses for those involved. Weak oversight systems and corruption among state-linked actors have contributed to the continuation of such practices.

Criminal Actors

There is limited evidence of mafia-style groups in Guinea's criminal landscape. Instead, criminal networks of varying degrees of organization in Guinea are active across various illicit markets, including human trafficking, human smuggling and the counterfeit trade (particularly medical products). These networks often operate beyond national borders. For instance, Guinean human trafficking groups have reportedly been collaborating with counterparts in Egypt to recruit women under false pretences and exploit them in domestic work and commercial sex abroad. Loose criminal formations are also involved in environmental crimes, including illegal logging and wildlife trafficking. Some networks involved in the cocaine trade have reportedly been stable over long periods of time and coordinate with actors overseas. Small-scale groups have been on the rise in the urban peripheries, particularly around Conakry. These groups engage in armed robbery, extortion and assault, reflecting a concerning rise in opportunistic violence in densely populated zones.

State-embedded actors play a significant role in facilitating and protecting organized criminal activities in Guinea. The cocaine market, in particular, has long benefited from political protection which allows it to circumvent enforcement efforts. Based on reports from investigative bodies, the justice minister has denounced state officials for their involvement in the illicit trade of rosewood, including figures working within environmental oversight bodies. Furthermore, the trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals has been exacerbated by the complicity of law enforcement agents, border personnel and politicians. Financial crimes have implicated state actors, including several high-profile corruption cases in recent years involving embezzlement, money laundering and illicit enrichment.

Foreign actors continue to be involved to a significant degree in Guinea’s criminal landscape, particularly in human trafficking and drug trafficking markets. Egyptian networks have collaborated with Guinean groups to exploit women abroad. Foreign involvement is also noted in the cocaine trade, with Guinean actors collaborating with trafficking groups from Spain, Syria, Nigeria, Colombia and Mexico. Additionally, the distribution of kush has been linked to groups from Sierra Leone. Chinese nationals are believed to have a prominent role in illegal mining operations in regions such as Siguiri, contributing to environmental and regulatory concerns.

Private-sector actors exert influence over some of Guinea’s criminal markets. There is some evidence of malpractice in the extractive industries. In particular, private companies operating in the bauxite sector have faced allegations of opacity and data manipulation concerning export volumes. Private sector actors are also significant players in the counterfeit medicines market with pharmacies being an important link in the distribution chain.

Leadership and governance

Guinea continues to face substantial governance challenges amid ongoing political instability. Despite some improvements, deep rooted systemic issues such as weak accountability, widespread corruption and ineffective government continue to pose problems. Guinea remains under military rule following the 2021 coup d'état, the third since its independence. While the junta has publicly committed to a transition to civilian governance, observers report delays, a lack of transparency and insufficient budget allocations for implementing the transition plan. These shortcomings, combined with widespread human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings political repression and gender-based violence, continue to undermine Guinea's democratic development. Discontent with the military regime reached its apex in a general strike in early 2024. Guinea has also had problems with alleged ties between political figures and organized crime, particularly in relation to cocaine trafficking, where high-level protection structures reportedly facilitated criminal operations. Nevertheless, the leadership's recent stance against the illicit timber trade suggests a growing political will to combat flora crimes in the country.

In terms of government transparency and accountability, Guinea continues to grapple with pervasive corruption. While the country recorded a slight improvement in the international perception of corruption, enforcement remains weak. The national anti-corruption body faces chronic underfunding, political interference and limited follow-through on oversight reports. The judicial system has pursued several high-profile corruption cases against former officials. Nonetheless, these investigations have been perceived as politically motivated, casting doubt among the public on their impartiality. The transition government also faces transparency challenges. Public consultation on the new constitution has been minimal, and access to information remains constrained. There have been budget discussions, but with limited transparency over data or spending priorities. Guinea's right to information framework suffers from procedural ambiguities and does not effectively override government secrecy laws, limiting its practical utility.

The transition government has continued to engage with regional and international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Guinea has refrained from aligning with other military regimes in the region, distinguishing its position diplomatically. However, significant human rights concerns persist, and the international response to its governance shortcomings has been muted. While Guinea has implemented international development projects, including those in the mining sector with multilateral backing, it has yet to ratify key protocols of the Palermo Convention against transnational organized crime. Furthermore, Guinea has faced challenges with CITES compliance, particularly regarding wildlife trafficking, and has been under scrutiny for its implementation of CITES regulations. While the country has made efforts to address these issues in its national legal framework, enacting CITES legislation in 2021, enforcement challenges continue to undermine its fight against wildlife trafficking. Overall, the national legal framework remains underdeveloped in addressing organized crime. Only limited provisions align with UN standards, and Guinea has yet to adopt a national migration policy. For instance, drug-related offences are criminalized under the penal code, yet systemic resistance to reform persists, which is linked to the influence of criminal actors within state institutions.

Criminal justice and security

Guinea's judicial system faces substantial issues over its independence, resources and procedural fairness. Informal justice mechanisms are frequently used by citizens due to the cost and inefficiencies of the formal system. Political interference and corruption remain pervasive in the judiciary, limiting public confidence and deterring victims, particularly of human trafficking, from seeking legal redress. Victims have expressed distrust in the system, and reports indicate that judicial actors often lack specialized knowledge on trafficking laws. Prison conditions remain life-threatening due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, malnutrition and inadequate healthcare. Abuse by prison staff and fellow inmates is widespread, with transgender prisoners at particularly high risk. Reports also highlight coercive interrogation practices by security officials.

Law enforcement operations are undermined by corruption and official complicity in criminal markets, including human smuggling and trafficking counterfeit goods. Despite these systemic issues, specialized units have been established to investigate human trafficking, and capacity-building initiatives have been undertaken with support from non-governmental and international organizations. Still, allegations of police brutality and arbitrary arrests persist, further eroding trust.

Border management remains weak along Guinea's long and porous land borders. Corruption among border officials exacerbates these vulnerabilities. Capacity constraints and limited infrastructure hamper effective enforcement, allowing illicit flows of drugs and counterfeit goods to persist.

Economic and financial environment

Guinea faces persistent vulnerabilities when it comes to money laundering, with global indices designating the country as high risk. Legislative reforms and institutional developments have signalled progress, but enforcement is still inadequate. Low banking penetration among the population, reliance on cash, the dominance of the informal sector and porous borders contribute to Guinea's susceptibility to money laundering. Investigations and prosecutions remain infrequent due to lack of prioritization, limited resources and insufficient training.

The country’s broader economic regulatory capacity is constrained by political instability and weak rule of law. High corruption levels and weak property rights have driven many economic actors into the informal sector. Although Guinea has made strides in building its infrastructure and electricity production, economic growth is concentrated in the mining sector with limited distributional benefits. Moreover, illicit activity continues to affect Guinea’s gold mining industry, particularly in the Siguiri region, where illegal artisanal and industrial mining is suspected to dominate. Policies such as the 0% tax on gold exports since 2016 have made Guinea an attractive export location for gold trafficked its neighbours, especially Mali. Nonetheless, Guinea has made efforts to improve its energy security and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers following a major incident at its main oil depot in December 2023.

Civil society and social protection

Support for victims and witnesses of organized crime remains uneven. The government has mechanisms for identifying and referring trafficking victims, including updated standard operating procedures and collaboration with international partners. However, implementation is hampered by poor inter-agency coordination, limited training and inconsistent government services. The state continues to rely heavily on civil society, foreign donors and international organizations to provide victim care. Services include NGO-operated shelters and a transit centre supported by international groups. Still, the state’s own capacity to provide comprehensive, long-term care remains limited.

Prevention efforts have been stepped up, particularly in the fight against human trafficking. The national anti-trafficking committee has conducted awareness campaigns and established a network of NGOs. The government has adopted an updated national action plan and funded its implementation. However, has not operated a trafficking hotline in recent years, and shortcomings persist in areas such as reducing demand and diplomatic training. Guinean authorities have taken action to address illicit gold mining, drug trafficking and cybercrime – including inter-ministerial cooperation against synthetic drug trafficking and awareness campaigns on cyber-related offences. Cybersecurity forums and public outreach campaigns in universities demonstrate some proactive engagement.

Civil society in Guinea faces substantial challenges. Organizations face growing government interference, intimidation and internal divisions. Threats, arrests and harassment of activists and journalists are common, particularly for those critical of the transitional government. Media freedom has declined, with suspensions of critical news outlets and restrictions being placed on internet access and social media. Journalists covering political protests or sensitive topics have faced violence and arbitrary arrests, while perpetrators have faced no sanction. While some civil society groups participate in transitional governance bodies, concerns remain over their independence and effectiveness.