Maritime Security Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea Amid Rising Piracy Threats

Background: Despite a temporary decline reported between 2021 and 2023, piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf of Guinea have remained a persistent threat to regional trade and energy exports, prompting renewed multinational naval cooperation among coastal and external partner states. Aims/objectives: This study examines the effectiveness of regional and international maritime security frameworks, including the Yaoundé Architecture, in mitigating piracy risks within the Gulf of Guinea and surrounding exclusive economic zones. Method: The research adopts a mixed-methods design combining quantitative analysis of incident reports from the International Maritime Bureau with qualitative interviews of naval officials from Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon conducted during 2023 and 2024. Results: The findings indicate that improved information-sharing centers and joint patrols reduced incident rates in monitored corridors, yet capacity gaps in surveillance technology and inter-agency coordination persisted, particularly in territorial waters with limited naval presence and outdated equipment. International partnerships with European and American naval missions enhanced technical capabilities but raised sovereignty concerns among regional actors wary of external dependency. Conclusion: The study concludes that sustainable maritime security requires deeper investment in indigenous naval capacity and harmonized legal frameworks for prosecution, rather than continued reliance on external military support. Regional ownership of security architecture is identified as essential for long-term piracy deterrence and economic stability in coastal states across West and Central Africa.

Keywords: Gulf of Guinea, maritime piracy, Yaoundé Architecture, naval cooperation, maritime security