Foreword

I have long been concerned by illicit trade. As Finance Minister in my home country, Nigeria, I witnessed how it harms societies and impedes economic growth and development. Although the full scale of illicit trade is often obscured by its clandestine nature, there is little doubt about its impacts. Spurious products threaten people’s health as well as their livelihoods. Illicit trade undermines legitimate business activity, abets corruption, and acts as a drain on the revenue and resources governments need to address critical social and economic priorities. And when illicit traders join forces with corrupt officials and financiers, the negative impacts are amplified. Illicit trade leaves no country, developing or developed, untouched.