African Anti-Graft Chiefs Meet in Nairobi as EACC Warns of Growing Tech-Driven Corruption
By Bruno Aero Family Media Staff Writer
The high-level gathering has brought together heads of anti-corruption agencies, policymakers, and governance experts to explore ways of strengthening collaboration in the fight against corruption, with a focus on enhancing mutual legal assistance, information sharing, joint investigations, and regional coordination mechanisms.
A key 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 primary research and knowledge hub, supporting anti-corruption agencies across Africa through evidence-based research, policy recommendations, capacity-building initiatives, and the sharing of best practices.
Speaking during the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Abdi Ahmed Mohamud, described the establishment of the Centre as a landmark achievement that culminates four years of consultations and planning among member states.
Mohamud emphasized that beyond investigating corruption cases, anti-graft agencies must focus on recovering stolen public resources, noting that citizens increasingly expect tangible outcomes from anti-corruption efforts.
He said asset tracing, freezing, confiscation, and recovery of proceeds of corruption remain critical tools in restoring public confidence and ensuring accountability.
EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde echoed these sentiments, warning that corruption networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated due to rapid technological advancements and the growing interconnectedness of global financial systems.
According to Oginde, corruption continues to pose a major threat to Africa’s economic transformation agenda by discouraging investment, draining public resources, and weakening institutions that are vital for sustainable development.
“Corruption undermines these efforts and therefore is a disruptor to all plans that we have for our economic growth,” he said.
The EACC chairperson cautioned that modern corruption syndicates are now exploiting digital technologies to move illicit funds across jurisdictions at unprecedented speed, making it more difficult for authorities to track and recover stolen assets.
“Corruption is now becoming more sophisticated with new technology. These days, it is at the click of a button sent across the world,” Oginde observed.
He called for stronger continental frameworks that would facilitate intelligence sharing, asset tracing, and mutual legal assistance among African countries, arguing that no single institution can effectively tackle corruption on its own.
Oginde also challenged anti-corruption agencies to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and advanced data analytics to strengthen the detection, investigation, and prevention of 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.
The EACC Chair expressed confidence that the newly established African Anti-Corruption Research Centre will play a pivotal role in helping agencies identify emerging corruption trends, generate actionable intelligence, and develop proactive responses to evolving threats.
The Assembly is expected to conclude with a series of resolutions aimed at deepening regional cooperation, strengthening asset recovery mechanisms, and accelerating the adoption of technology-driven solutions in Africa’s ongoing fight against corruption. The outcomes are anticipated to provide a stronger framework for collective action as African nations seek to safeguard public resources and promote good governance across the continent.
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