The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have called for stronger cross-border collaboration, shared learning and evidence-based strategies to combat corruption across Africa, warning that no country can successfully tackle the menace in isolation.
According to an official signed statement by the Head of Media and Public Communications, ICPC, J. Okor Odey, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, made the call during the maiden edition of the International Diplomatic Dialogue held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu described the forum as a strategic platform for international engagement, knowledge exchange and collaborative learning aimed at strengthening anti-corruption institutions and frameworks across the continent.
He noted that corruption continues to pose a serious threat to sustainable development, economic growth, social justice and public trust in government institutions, stressing that evidence-based prevention mechanisms remain the most effective approach to addressing the challenge.
The ICPC Chairman commended Kenya’s anti-corruption efforts and said lessons from the East African nation’s experience could provide valuable insights for other countries seeking to strengthen accountability and transparency.
“Continuous engagement and learning from successful international models will be crucial in shaping robust anti-corruption frameworks,” he said.
Dr. Aliyu also applauded the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), led by Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, for organising the dialogue and expressed optimism that similar engagements with other countries would deepen international cooperation against corruption.
In his welcome address, the Provost of ACAN, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, underscored the importance of international cooperation in institutional development and anti-corruption reforms.
He explained that Kenya was selected for the inaugural dialogue because of its notable progress in combating corruption, including major asset recovery successes and the deployment of digital governance platforms that have significantly reduced opportunities for bribery and abuse of public office.
Delivering the keynote address, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Isaac Keen Parashina, outlined the evolution of Kenya’s anti-corruption architecture, highlighting the country’s 2010 Constitution as a major turning point in entrenching transparency, integrity and accountability as national values.
He identified key institutions driving Kenya’s anti-corruption agenda, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Asset Recovery Agency.
The envoy further highlighted legislative reforms such as the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Bribery Act, which he said have strengthened accountability mechanisms in both the public and private sectors.
According to him, specialised anti-corruption courts and a coordinated multi-agency framework have improved Kenya’s ability to investigate, prosecute and recover assets linked to corrupt practices.
Ambassador Parashina also pointed to technology as a critical tool in promoting transparency and accountability, citing initiatives such as the e-Citizen Portal, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and electronic government procurement platforms.
He said the digital systems have significantly reduced opportunities for corruption by limiting direct human interactions in public service delivery and enhancing oversight of government spending.
While acknowledging challenges such as cyber-enabled corruption and delays within the justice system, the High Commissioner stressed the need for stronger institutions, continuous innovation and deeper international partnerships.
He called for enhanced cooperation between Kenya and Nigeria in areas such as asset recovery, financial intelligence sharing and capacity building to support good governance and sustainable development across Africa.
Also speaking, the Deputy High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Nigeria, Major General Dauda Alfa, described corruption as a major contributor to insecurity and poor public service delivery across the continent.
He highlighted asset declaration as one of Sierra Leone’s key anti-corruption measures and expressed confidence that the diplomatic dialogue would generate practical and evidence-based solutions capable of strengthening the fight against corruption in Africa.
The dialogue reinforced growing calls for African nations to adopt coordinated and data-driven approaches in addressing corruption, with stakeholders insisting that stronger partnerships and institutional collaboration remain essential to achieving transparency, accountability and sustainable development across the continent.
