According to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), “Corruption is a major obstacle to global economic and social development. Every year, $1 trillion is paid in cash, and an estimated $2.6 trillion is stolen, equivalent to more than 5% of the world’s GDP.”
Corruption undermines the outlook for growth and development in Africa, sacrificing about 25% of GDP every year. Addressing this true tragedy that undermines governance, suppresses investment and increases inequality is currently one of the top priorities of the African Development Bank.
With the theme of the 2025 Annual Conference, “improving African capital for Africa’s development,” the fight against corruption appears to be an essential lever to unlock this possibility. As Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, pointed out earlier, “corruption doesn’t invest in the future, it kills the future.”
Multi-level strategic action
In line with its mission, the African Development Bank is determined to strengthen transparency, integrity and accountability within the continent. For this purpose, we implement a multidimensional approach based on several equipment.
These include the 10-year strategy 2024-2033, focusing on economic governance and the fight against corruption, and the 2025-2026 Action Plan for the fight against money laundering and illegal financial flows. These tools will be strengthened by the 2025-2030 Anti-Corruption Action Plan currently under development. This will focus on monitoring agencies, transparency in public procurement, citizen mobilization and strengthening international cooperation.
Strengthening public governance
In its lending operations, banks incorporate strict governance and corruption risk assessment mechanisms. Through National Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) and National Consignment Risk Assessment (CFRA), banks identify vulnerabilities and assist the nation in implementing target reforms.
For example, at Cote-Dayboir, banks support the adoption of a national anti-corruption strategy and review of legal frameworks.
Meanwhile, in South Sudan, they devised a capacity building training session for the National Anti-Corruption Agency. Egypt supports the strengthening of administrative control agencies’ research and monitoring functions.
Strengthening cooperation regarding asset recovery
Banks are key players in the implementation of the General African Status (CAPAR) on Asset Recovery. It also works closely with the African Union, UNODC and Giz to support the African Asset Recovery Practitioner Forum.
That commitment extends to promoting beneficiary transparency through the Abenot network, thereby helping to curb illegal financial flows and strengthen government surveillance capabilities.
Prevention, investigation, punishment
Through the Bureau of Integrity and Anti-Corruption (PIAC), banks conduct independent investigations, apply sanctions and conduct integrity reviews on high-risk projects. In 2020, 155 entities were banned under an agreement for mutual enforcement of condemnation decisions where major multilateral banks are signatories.
Banks also promote inclusive and gender-sensitive governance, integrating women and marginalized groups into anti-corruption mechanisms. It strengthens the role of civil society, journalists, and the private sector in public funding transparency and surveillance.
