The 17th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the ECOWAS Regional Network of National Focal Institutions against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+) concluded in Lagos, Nigeria, with Member States reaffirming their commitment to tackling Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and addressing its interlinked challenges of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC).
The five-day meeting was organised by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), under the EU-funded Supporting Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM West Africa II) Project. It gathered representatives from 12 ECOWAS Member States alongside regional and international partners, including Plan International, ILO, UNODC, UNFPA and IOM, with UNICEF and ICRC joining virtually.
For the first time, the Annual Review Meeting expanded its focus to address gender-based violence and violence against children, recognising the close links between human trafficking, gender-based crimes and the vulnerabilities faced by children on the move. These challenges are particularly evident in cross-border trafficking, irregular migration flows and the heightened risks encountered by women, children and other vulnerable groups in the region.
Key progress and commitments
The meeting provided an opportunity to review achievements in 2024 and set priorities for the years ahead. Delegates highlighted the importance of linking efforts against trafficking with child protection and gender equality, while also strengthening data, tools and national action plans.
- Recognition of interconnected challenges: Human trafficking, GBV and VAC are interwoven issues that require coordinated, cross-sectoral responses, emphasising the importance of stronger cooperation between national institutions and regional structures under the ECOWAS Division of Human Security and Civil Society.
- Review and setting of priorities: Member States assessed their 2024 priorities and identified strategic priorities for 2025–2026, focusing on strengthening National Action Plans and scaling results in victim protection, prosecution, and prevention.
- Advancing the TIP+ strategy: Progress made by ECOWAS and ICMPD in five pilot Member States (Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea) was recognised, with calls for national adaptation and expansion across additional Member States.
- Synergies with child protection structures: The collaboration with the Regional Working Group on Child Protection was highlighted as key to tackling VAC and SGBV. Further inclusion of additional organisations in the Joint ECOWAS–GRPE Operational Plan were recommended.
- Data and knowledge gaps: The need for effective data collection and management systems to track trafficking and related violence was underscored, including better use of ECOWAS platform, such as the Annual Synthesis Report Database, ECRIMS, and the ECOWAS Humanitarian Observatory.
- Operational and policy tools: Finalisation of the ECOWAS Guidelines for National Task Forces and National Focal Points against TIP was advanced to serve as a standard reference tool, highlighting the rollout of Amber Alerts systems for missing children and establishment of Sexual Offender Registers as part of the TIP Plus approach.
Recommendations
Participants agreed on a set of recommendations to guide the next phase of regional cooperation. These centred on:
- Scaling regional support: Member States commended ECOWAS for its financial assistance to support victims and called for a second phase of funding in 2025.
- Replication of best practices: The Organisational Capacity Assessments piloted in four Member States should be extended region-wide, with concrete follow-up actions implemented.
- Integrated approaches: Closer collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre and partner organisations was recommended to design and roll out a Joint Operational Plan against GBV and VAC.
- Protection of mixed migrants: Stronger coordinated responses to cross-border human trafficking and the vulnerabilities of mixed migration flows, including protection of ECOWAS citizens abroad were urged.
The 17th Annual review Meeting reaffirmed the collective resolve of ECOWAS Member States to combat trafficking in persons and related crimes while expanding the agenda to address gender-based violence and child protection. Building on the progress achieved, the commitments to stronger cooperation, improved data-driven policies, and practical tools to enhance victim protection and regional resilience will shape the region’s collective action in the years to come.