The Gulf of Guinea – a coastal region stretching from Senegal to Angola – is endowed with vast reserves of hydrocarbons, minerals and fishery resources. It is also an important route for international trade, making it critical for the development of countries in the region.
For too long, however, countries in the Gulf of Guinea have not properly monitored what is happening in their waters. This allowed security threats in the sea to bloom. Threats include illegal, illegal and unregulated fishing, drug trafficking, piracy and armed robbery, and dumping of toxic waste.
For example, in 2020, the International Shipping Bureau reported that the region had experienced the highest number of crew abductions ever recorded: 130 crew members were captured in 22 incidents. In 2019, 121 crew members were kidnapped in 17 incidents.
Regional action is being taken to address these threats. In 2013, the heads of state signed the Yaoundé Code of Ethics – statement on cooperation and countering the threats. This also involved the creation of a large node known as the Yaoundé Architecture (made up of different departments), which coordinates and shares information about what is happening at sea.
Since the Yaoundé Code of Conduct was signed in 2013, there has been some progress. As we found in a new studytechnology-based tools have played a vital role in addressing maritime security threats in West and Central African countries.
For example, Nigeria was once designated as a piracy hotspot, but in 2022 was deleted. This is largely due to its use technology.
Technological tools have helped countries manage and monitor the marine environment more effectively. They also support the sharing of information between law enforcement agencies. This led to successful interdictions and allowed pirates to be prosecuted in the area.
The technology tools
Load and fishing Ships are required by international law to be equipped with systems that transmit data showing where they are.
Since signing the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, we were found that new technology is now using this location data to help countries in the Gulf of Guinea monitor their waters.
Tools and systems – such as radar, regional information system Yaoundé Architecture (Yaris), Sea-Vision, Skylight and World Fishing Watch – integrate information from various surveillance and location tracking systems and satellite data to detect suspicious behavior. This has greatly contributed to improving efforts to combat security threats.
Gulf countries now have increased awareness of ship activity in their waters and are able to respond more informed to emergencies such as piracy or armed robbery and oil theft.
For example, in 2022 the Heroic Idun tanker, evaded arrest in Nigeria for suspicious behavior and then traveled to Equatorial Guinea. Using the Yaoundé Architecture system, Equatorial Guinea retained the vessel at Nigeria’s request and later fine.
Without the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the new technology it introduced, information sharing, evidence capture and cooperation between countries would not have been possible.
Nigeria’s technological developments
Nigeria is a prime example of a country where investment in technology-based infrastructure has helped it address threats to security and development.
Over the past three years, Nigeria has developed a number of technological tools. For example, the navy developed the Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity Facilitationthat receives, records and distributes data and mass surveillance FALCON EYE system.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security has also progressed through it Deep Blue Project. This includes a central intelligence and data collection center that works with special mission craft (such as unmanned aerial vehicles) to take action against threats.
Nigeria had since then a reduction in piracy and armed robbery at sea. Once designated as a piracy hotspot, the country was deleted as a hotspot in 2022.
Cautious optimism
Obviously, technology plays an important role in enhancing safety at sea. But it is not without its challenges, as we identified in our study.
First, overreliance on external technology tools has resulted in a lack of ownership of technology. This affects the sustainability of the projects. For example, once EU funding for YARIS ends, operating costs will be transferred from the EU to the Yaoundé architecture states. However, there are still no clear plans from regional states on how to support YARIS.
Second, they need people with special expertise to use the technology. But many countries cannot afford to hire them or do not produce manpower with this expertise. Even when staff have received training, they may not have access to the tools (which are not available at the country level) to apply what they have learned.
Third, existing monitoring systems such as AIS and VMS can be disabled, a vulnerability that criminals continue to exploit. Radar systems can cover these gaps, but there is a lack of RADAR coverage along the coasts. Related to this, the rarity of nationals data centers for long-range vessel identification and tracking (due to lack of investment) makes it difficult to use existing technology.
Fifth, there are challenges related to communication difficulties, the absence of internet connections on some ships or low internet speed.
Finally, private entities such as the shipping industry do not use the services provided by Yaoundé Architecture. This reeks of politics and a lack of confidence in regional solutions.
Boat operators report incidents to agencies outside the area, such as Maritime sector trade awareness – Gulf of Guinea (based in France) or the International Shipping Bureau in Malaysia and these agencies often relay the information without confirming with the regional architecture. This undermines the ability of regional bodies to do their work effectively.
It is in the best interest of the Atlantic countries to cooperate and coordinate to address maritime security challenges.
Technology can play a key role in this. However, it is vital that countries strengthen technological know-how and ensure that external partners and businesses use available technological services. This will be a big step towards a safe and cooperative maritime environment.