E-discussion on “Improving the role of anti-corruption institutions in Africa”

E- Discussion on "Improving the role of Anti-corruption Instistutions in Africa" is launched by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Governance and Public Administration.

Corruption constitutes a major challenge to Africa’s economic and social progress, effective governance and development. Corruption not only distorts economic decision-making, it also deters investment, undermines competitiveness and, ultimately, weakens economic growth.  Indeed, there is clear evidence that the social, legal, political and economic aspects of development are all linked, and that corruption in any one of these sectors impedes progress in all of them.

          The establishment of national anti-corruption institutions (NACIs) in several African countries is a response to the necessity to curb the highly negative consequences of corruption on the States and on communities. The establishment of NACIs is part of the unprecedented efforts that have taken place to raise awareness about corruption and the damaging effects it has on the welfare of nations and people.  These efforts have resulted in the adoption of laws, reforms of public expenditure management, procurement procedures, auditing and accounting functions and rules governing conflicts of interest.

          In this context, NACIs have a three-pronged anti-corruption campaign approach: prevention, investigation and prosecution. Their basic operation modalities are: (a) create a conscious society where corruption will not be condoned or tolerated by promoting ethics and anti-corruption education, in cooperation with relevant bodies; (b) prevent corruption offences and other improprieties; and (c) expose, investigate and prosecute corruption offences and impropriety, in collaboration with other relevant organs.

          International instruments have also attempted to set standards for the effectiveness of NACIs. Both the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption make independence central to the operation of national anti-corruption agencies. Independence can be understood in many ways and has many aspects. It relates to modalities of establishment, budgetary autonomy, and tenure for members, but also to operational autonomy etc. Some of the African anti-corruption agencies enjoy a relatively good level of independence but many face other difficulties.

          Despite the establishment of NACIs in numerous African countries, corruption continues to pose serious challenges to effective public service delivery, transparent political competition, and confidence in States’ institutions.  Africa still appears as the most corrupt region in the world. Independent studies conducted both within and outside Africa underscore the severity and magnitude of the problem on the continent.  In the UNECA 2005 African Governance Report (AGR), corruption ranked amongst the three topmost national problems that were identified. This raises the question of the effectiveness of NACIs; this also requires innovative ideas to improve their role.

          This online discussion on Improving the role of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in Africa aims to provide a platform which will allow various participants representing NACIs, civil society organizations, the academia, policy and decision makers and all interested stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences, good practices and come up with valuable contributions to boost the effectiveness of national anti-corruption machineries in Africa.

          This E-discussion will run for four weeks as follows:

§ Week 1:

Modalities of establishment and operation: does the law establishing the national anti-corruption agencies guarantee their autonomy and ensure the adequate performance of their duties?

§ Week 2:

Funding: Is the funding of national anti-corruption agencies adequate?

§ Week 3:

Environment of operation: what is the relationship of national anti-corruption agencies with the government, the parliament, the judiciary and civil society organizations?

§ Week 4:

Wrap up and the way forward

Ground rules of the e-discussion.

-         Be identifiable. Please always include your name and organization (where relevant) at the end of your message

-         Pertain to the subject of the week and respond to the facilitation questions as much as possible,

-         Write in English or French,

-         Be limited to three paragraphs or 500 words

-         Attach only relevant documents

-           Refrain from using insulting language or statements.

-           The discussion is open and we look forward to your ideas to enrich it and formulate concrete recommendations.