The Economic Community Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Department of Human Development and Social Affairs, launched the West African Epidemiological Network on Drug Use (WENDU) Report 2024 in Banju, Gambia on October 15, 2025, as part of the fight against drug abuse in west africa.
The West African Drug Use Epidemiological Network (WENDU) is a strategic project of the ECOWAS designed to strengthen evidence-based policy formulation by collecting data on drug demand and supply across the ECOWAS region and Mauritania. Through national focal points and local watchpoints, WENDU monitors drug use patterns, identifies new trends, and assesses the effectiveness of regional interventions.
The WENDU Report 2024 constitutes the fifth edition of this regional analysis and presents updated estimates and trends relating to drug use and trafficking in West Africa. This data is essential for planning, programming and advocacy, reinforcing ECOWAS’ commitment to combating the drug scourge and promoting informed and sustainable public policies in the region.
