AFRICA MARKS ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY 2025 WITH A FRESH CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

African countries are today commemorating African Anti-Corruption Day, marking 22 years since the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique on July 11, 2003.
This year’s theme, "Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption," underscores the urgent need to uphold justice, equality, and citizen welfare in governance across the continent.
In Kenya, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) led national celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The event brought together government officials, civil society groups, students, and members of the public for dialogue, awareness campaigns, and a renewed commitment to transparency.
Speaking at the event, EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde said, "Corruption is not just a financial crime—it is a moral crisis that undermines human dignity and robs citizens of their rights. Today we recommit to ending it."
Across the continent, similar events were held in African Union member states. The AU Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC) hosted a virtual continental forum featuring policy experts, youth advocates, and anti-graft institutions discussing how corruption weakens social services and erodes trust in public leadership.
According to the AUABC, although progress has been made in legal frameworks and enforcement, corruption still costs Africa an estimated USD 148 billion annually, mostly through illicit financial flows, embezzlement, and procurement fraud.
Today’s observance is not just symbolic but serves as a rallying cry for stronger action. Stakeholders called for:
Effective enforcement of anti-corruption laws