Nonprofit coalition leads regional push against human trafficking in East Africa

A global nonprofit coalition is stepping up efforts to combat human trafficking in East Africa, bringing together governments, survivor leaders, and civil society actors in a renewed push for cross-border collaboration and victim protection.

Atlas Free, a Seattle-based nonprofit working with over 140 frontline organisations worldwide, partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to convene a regional anti-trafficking summit in Mombasa from March 17–19, 2026.

The three-day gathering brought together representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States, reflecting what organisers described as an urgent need for coordinated responses to a rapidly evolving trafficking landscape.

Held near Fort Jesus, a 16th-century coastal fortress historically linked to the slave trade, the summit underscored the enduring legacy of exploitation in the region and the modern forms it continues to take.

Evolving trafficking networks outpacing systems

Discussions at the summit focused on the increasing sophistication of trafficking operations, particularly the rise of digital recruitment and cyber-enabled exploitation.

Participants highlighted how traffickers are leveraging online platforms to lure victims into forced criminality, including scams and fraud schemes, as well as domestic servitude and sex trafficking.

“Trafficking methods are evolving rapidly. Digital recruitment, cyber scams, and overlapping crimes, including fraud, smuggling, and corruption, make cases harder to detect and prosecute.”

A major concern raised was the persistent failure to identify victims.

In many instances, individuals coerced into illegal activities, especially in cyber-enabled trafficking, are treated as offenders rather than victims due to gaps in screening procedures and limited training among law enforcement.

Gaps in protection and frontline capacity

Across the region, weak coordination and under-resourced frontline services continue to hinder effective responses.

Civil society organisations and law enforcement agencies often lack the funding, tools, and infrastructure needed to identify victims early and provide sustained support.

Participants emphasised that transnational trafficking networks are moving faster than existing legal and protection frameworks, exploiting fragmented systems between countries.

“There are still too many points where victims fall through the cracks,” discussions noted, citing delays in response, limited shelter options, and inconsistent access to legal and psychosocial support.

Strengthening pathways for survivor recovery

A key outcome of the summit was a renewed focus on improving cross-border referral systems to ensure survivors rescued in one country can safely return home and access long-term care.

“The East African government representatives and NGO leaders also discussed how to streamline the referral process so sex trafficking survivors can return home for the best possible care,” said John Richmond, Chief Impact Officer at Atlas Free and former U.S. Ambassador to Combat Trafficking.

“Many trafficking victims, if they are fortunate enough to find freedom, have no way home and limited access to services,” he added.

Participants explored ways to strengthen coordination between governments and nonprofit organisations to ensure survivors receive comprehensive support, including safe housing, trauma-informed care, and reintegration services.

Building regional momentum

For survivor leaders present, the summit marked a shift toward more inclusive and collaborative approaches.

“A fear in me has been taken away,” said Flora, a member of the Atlas Free network who attended the gathering.

“I will push this narrative for the people near me to understand this evil that is happening and how we can walk with those who have gone through trafficking, whether domestic or international. Something in me was awakened this week.”

Organisers say the convening helped build trust and align priorities across governments, civil society, and international partners laying the groundwork for more unified regional action.

According to Richmond, the partnership between UNODC and Atlas Free offers a model for future collaboration.

“UNODC’s successful track record and Atlas Free’s expansive network of service providers create a powerful combination,” he said.

“When international institutions and frontline organizations work together, we can build systems that actually outpace traffickers.”

A coordinated response to a growing threat

As trafficking enterprises continue to expand across borders and into the digital world, stakeholders at the summit stressed that sustained international collaboration will be essential to protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

The Mombasa meeting signals a growing recognition that tackling human trafficking requires not only stronger laws but also integrated systems that prioritise victim protection, data sharing, and long-term recovery.

For Atlas Free and its partners, the goal is clear: to ensure that those most affected by trafficking are no longer invisible and that systems designed to protect them are strong enough to respond to an increasingly complex global crime.