By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

A Non-governmental Organization, Green Growth Africa has launched a groundbreaking initiative, EcoJustice Africa, aimed at tackling the rising wave of environmental crimes across the continent.

The launch, held in Abuja, unveiled a citizen-driven and tech-enabled approach to empower communities in fighting violations that threaten Africa’s ecosystems and livelihoods.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Adedoyin Adeleke, Executive Director of Green Growth Africa, emphasized the urgency of addressing environmental crimes, citing the devastating blast in Ibadan earlier this year as a call to action.

The explosion, linked to illegal mining activities, claimed five lives, injured over 70 people, and caused extensive property damage. “This tragedy highlighted the far-reaching impacts of environmental crimes and the urgent need for coordinated action,” Adeleke said.

Quoting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Adeleke noted that the environmental crimes are now the fourth largest form of organized crime globally, costing Africa an estimated $195 billion annually.

These crimes, including illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, and deforestation, disproportionately affect remote communities and fuel corruption, poverty, and insecurity.

According to Adedoyin, EcoJustice Africa aims to address these challenges by leveraging digital innovation and grassroots advocacy.

He said, the initiative would also have a Green Growth Watch mobile app, which enables citizens to report environmental crimes in real-time using photos, videos, and geolocation data.

He said, reports submitted through the app will be reviewed and verified at the EcoJustice Situation Room, a data hub established to analyze cases and escalate verified reports for advocacy or legal action.

The initiative also includes the EcoJustice Fellowship Programme, which trains local activists as “EcoFellows” to support in-country verification of reports and empower citizens as “EcoAdvocates.” Through these efforts, Green Growth Africa seeks to amplify community voices and hold perpetrators accountable.

Dr. Adeleke highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving the initiative’s goals, urging governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to join the movement.

“EcoJustice Africa is not just about fighting crimes; it’s about restoring dignity to millions of Africans whose livelihoods depend on our natural resources,” he said.

He also commended the support of partners such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Swedish Government, noting their contributions to the vision of an environmentally just Africa.

“Together, we can create a future where environmental rights are respected, and justice prevails,” Adeleke concluded.