Anti-corruption authorities from across Eastern Africa have convened in Nairobi this week for a renewed initiative to tackle corruption and illegal financial movements in the region.
Illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Eastern Africa encompass funds obtained, moved, or utilized illegally across borders, with billions of dollars siphoned from regional economies annually.
These illegal transfers impede development by redirecting resources from essential services, infrastructure projects, and poverty alleviation programs.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is facilitating the gathering under the Eastern Africa Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA), uniting agencies from Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Djibouti, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya.
The conference bears the theme “Unmasking Beneficial Ownership in the Fight Against Corruption and Recovery of Assets.”
The gathering seeks to boost cross-border collaboration, enhance transparency, and improve asset recovery processes.
At the opening ceremony, EAAACA president and Uganda’s Inspector General of Government, Naluze Aisha Batala, emphasized the need for increased cooperation among participating nations.
She pointed to key achievements including standardized anti-corruption legislation, issued Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Guidelines, and regional capacity development programs.
EAAACA vice president and EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud supported these observations, noting advancements in information exchange and elimination of bureaucratic hurdles that have expedited investigative processes.
He emphasized Kenya’s dedication to beneficial ownership transparency, referencing amendments to the Companies Act that established a beneficial ownership registry under the Business Registration Service.
The assembly has attracted participants from Financial Intelligence Units, asset recovery agencies, law enforcement agencies, prosecution services, oversight institutions, the private sector, and development partners.
It also incorporates the Annual General Meetings of EAAACA and the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Eastern Africa.
Through hosting the conference, Kenya has reaffirmed its prominent role in the regional campaign against corruption.
Discussions aim to bolster cooperation among member states, increase beneficial ownership transparency, and enhance mechanisms for retrieving misappropriated assets.
EAAACA maintains a pivotal function in establishing regional frameworks, coordinating collaborative initiatives, and offering a forum for agencies to share effective strategies. The conference concludes on Friday, April 24, with results projected to influence future anti-graft approaches throughout Eastern Africa.