TPLF Accused of Earning $4,500 Per Migrant in Trafficking Scheme
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The National Intelligence and Security Service has accused the Tigray People's Liberation Front of generating at least 4,500 US dollars per person through human trafficking networks, describing the activity as a major source of financing for armed operations.
Boneya Lemma, Director of Illicit Trade and Tax Intelligence at the agency, said investigations show that armed groups previously believed to rely largely on diaspora funding are instead drawing substantial income from domestic contraband activities.
The intelligence service linked the Oromo Liberation Army to gold smuggling, narcotics trade and fuel contraband across parts of the country. In border towns such as Moyale, illegal fuel distribution is expanding amid what officials described as weak coordination and limited inspection of licensed operators.
Fano was also cited as being connected to illicit trading networks.
The agency said trafficking and contraband routes extend beyond Ethiopia’s borders, alleging cooperation with actors in Eritrea. At least 26 bank accounts are said to be operated with Eritrean individuals, though investigators reported difficulty tracing transactions, identifying only limited transfers of up to 100 birr in some cases.
Beyond security concerns, the intelligence service raised questions about oversight in the financial system. It said regulators lack adequate technical capacity and monitoring systems. Several betting companies were recently shut down over alleged fraud and illicit fund transfers, with officials stating that the National Bank of Ethiopia had limited visibility into their operations.
The agency also alleged that supervisory bodies do not systematically verify information submitted by microfinance institutions. Significant funds have been channelled into digital wallet platforms and cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance.
Authorities are now pushing for governance reforms supported by technology, including border-level oversight mechanisms, supply chain monitoring systems and GPS tracking for trucks travelling beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
Boneya made the remarks during the 4th Anti-Illicit Trade Summit organised by the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations. Ethiopia seized more than 13 billion birr worth of illegal goods in the past six months and 23 billion birr during the last fiscal year, according to the Ethiopian Customs Commission.
