The Central Africa Observatory on Organized Crime (CA-Obs), established in 2024, works to shed light on the political economy of transnational organized crime across Central Africa, East Africa and the Sahel. The Observatory conducts granular research and investigations into criminal economies, organized crime actors, illicit financial flows, trafficking routes and illicit hubs. By adopting a partnership-based approach and working closely with civil society across the region, CA-Obs seeks to inform and influence national, regional and international decision-makers to adopt effective, evidence-based policy responses.

In partnership with the Institute for Security Studies, CA-Obs implements the Observatory on Organized Crime and Violence in Central Africa, an initiative that analyses how transnational organized crime drives armed violence and violent extremism in the region. The countries falling within the scope of this Observatory are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan.