Illegal Wildlife Trade as a Method of Financing Terrorism

This chapter explores the potential of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) as a method of financing terrorism, focusing on the African continent. It begins with an overview of the terrorism landscape in Africa, highlighting the activities of groups like Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, and their known and suspected financing methods. The chapter then analyzes the factors that contribute to the appeal of IWT for terrorism financing, including profitability, proximity to poachers and wildlife, porous borders, reliance on cash and informal payment systems, and AML/CTF considerations. The discussion also covers the challenges in addressing the terrorism financing-IWT nexus, such as the lack of awareness and resources for financial investigations in wildlife cases. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for an integrated approach involving multiple stakeholders to effectively address this complex issue. Readers will gain insights into the evolving financing mechanisms of terrorist groups, the role of IWT in terrorism financing, and the importance of cross-discipline collaboration in combating this threat.