African Anti-Graft Chiefs Convene in Nairobi as EACC Warns of Rising Tech-Driven Corruption

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 Senior anti-corruption officials from across Africa have gathered in Nairobi for the 8th Annual General Assembly of the Association of African Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA), amid growing concerns over increasingly sophisticated corruption networks that are exploiting technology and cross-border financial systems.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud described corruption as one of the greatest obstacles to economic growth, good governance and public trust across the continent.
Mohamud said the Assembly comes at a critical time when African countries are facing evolving corruption schemes that require stronger collaboration among anti-graft agencies.

"At a time when corruption continues to undermine economic growth, weaken public institutions and erode public trust, this Assembly presents a timely opportunity for reflection, learning and collective action," he said.

He emphasized that corruption is no longer a challenge confined within national borders, noting that illicit financial flows and transnational corruption networks require coordinated continental responses.

The two-day meeting has brought together heads of anti-corruption agencies, government officials and international partners to discuss strategies for combating graft, strengthening asset recovery efforts and enhancing institutional cooperation.
Mohamud said this year's theme, Strengthening Cooperation and Institutional Innovation for Effective Anti-Corruption Efforts in Africa, reflects the urgent need for anti-corruption agencies to adapt to emerging threats.

"As corruption schemes become increasingly sophisticated and transactional, our response must be equally dynamic, collaborative and cooperative," he noted.

Delegates are expected to deliberate on improving mutual legal assistance, information sharing, joint investigations and regional coordination to tackle corruption more effectively.

A major milestone during the Assembly was the official launch of the African Anti-Corruption Research Centre (AACRC), which will be headquartered in Nairobi. The centre is expected to serve as AAACA's research and analytical hub, providing evidence-based policy recommendations, capacity building and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the continent.

Mohamud described the launch as a significant achievement following four years of planning and consultations since 2022.

The EACC CEO also stressed the importance of recovering stolen public resources, saying citizens increasingly expect anti-corruption agencies to deliver tangible outcomes through asset tracing, freezing, confiscation and recovery of proceeds acquired through corruption.

EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde echoed the concerns, warning that corruption is becoming more advanced due to rapid technological developments and globalization.
He said Africa's development ambitions are under threat from corruption, which discourages investment, limits public resources and weakens institutions.

"Corruption undermines these efforts and therefore is a disruptor to all plans that we have for our economic growth," said Oginde.
The EACC chair warned that modern corruption networks are using technology to move illicit funds across borders with unprecedented speed.

"Corruption is now becoming more sophisticated with new technology. These days, it is at the click of a button sent across the world," he observed.
Oginde called for stronger frameworks to support asset tracing, intelligence sharing and mutual legal assistance among African nations, arguing that no single institution can effectively fight corruption in isolation.

He further urged anti-corruption agencies to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and advanced data analytics to detect and prevent complex financial crimes.

"We must together innovate, using new technology like artificial intelligence, blockchain and other advanced technologies to curb and prevent the movement of resources from one place to another in real time," he said.

Expressing confidence in the newly launched African Anti-Corruption Research Centre, Oginde said the institution would play a critical role in helping agencies anticipate emerging corruption trends and develop proactive responses.
The Assembly is expected to conclude with resolutions aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, improving asset recovery mechanisms and enhancing technological innovation in Africa's ongoing fight against corruption.

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