What is the project about?

Implemented by the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and funded by the Government of Switzerland, this project strengthensthe ability of African countries to prevent and combat human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants through a comprehensive, holistic approach. It focuses on building knowledge, skills, and frameworks needed to protect victims, prosecute perpetrators, and foster regional and international cooperation. The project pays special attention to the vulnerabilities of displaced communities, women, and children, as well as the challenges posed by high turnover among officials working on these issues.

 Situational Background

Across Africa, migration dynamics are becoming increasingly complex, driven by protracted conflict, climate change, and socioeconomic instability. These factors have led to large-scale displacement and increased vulnerability to trafficking and smuggling.

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated these trends, with traffickers and smugglers adapting their methods and exploiting new vulnerabilities and digital spaces. Despite national and regional efforts, gaps remain in legal frameworks, institutional responses, and cross-border cooperation.

As a regional leader and key transit and destination country, Egypt, has made significant progress in combating trafficking and smuggling but continues to face challenges.The project builds on previous successful capacity-building initiatives and responds to the need for updated, integrated, and sustainable solutions.

 How are we doing this?

The project adopts a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach that combines targeted capacity building, practical trainings, and regional cooperation. Key activities include:

1. Specialized training and workshops: Both in-person and virtual for mid-career officials from across Africa,focusing on prevention, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. These activities are designed to address the evolving nature of these crimes, including the use of technology, the impact of climate-induced displacement, and the vulnerabilities of women, youth, and displaced communities.

2. Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes to ensure sustainability and institutionalization of knowledge within national agencies/systems

3. Curriculum and toolkit development, updating materials to reflect emerging trends such as the use of technology, climate-induced displacement, and the specific vulnerabilities of women, youth, and displaced populations.

4. Peer-to-peer learning and regional collaboration, promoting shared expertise and the exchange of best practices among African institutions.

5. Support for evidence-based national strategies and action plans, developed through participatory and gender-balanced approaches.

6. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure adaptability, continuous learning, and measurable impact.

All activities are guided by principles of gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability, ensuring that interventions are responsive to the diverse contexts and needs of African countries.

How will Egypt benefit?:

The project enhances Egypt’s role as a regional hub for capacity development and South–South cooperation on migration and human security. It contributes to:

1.Strengthened African capacities to prevent and combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants through knowledge sharing, training, and coordinated regional efforts.

2. Enhanced institutional and human capacity in Egypt, reinforcing its leadership in developing and implementing sustainable, rights-based responses to complex migration challenges.

IMPACT: