Africa Losing Over $50 Billion Annually to Corruption, AU Expert Warns

By Adonis Byemelwa

Africa is hemorrhaging over $50 billion every year due to corruption, a staggering financial drain that continues to hinder the continent’s growth and global standing, Seynabou Diakhate, Chairperson of the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC), declared at the 8th African Anti-Corruption Dialogue.

Addressing government officials, civil society organizations, and media representatives from across Africa, Diakhate stressed that corruption remains one of the largest obstacles to economic development, citing the continent’s inability to leverage its vast resources for prosperity.

A significant challenge in the fight against corruption, Diakhate highlighted, is the lack of robust whistleblowing mechanisms. While whistleblowers have long played a critical role in exposing corruption, many fear retaliation due to inadequate protections.
Article 5(5) of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption mandates that state parties adopt measures to protect whistleblowers, but this remains a challenge in many African nations. Diakhate called for stronger measures to ensure the safety and confidentiality of those who report wrongdoing.

Esther Mnaro, a representative from the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), echoed Diakhate’s sentiments, emphasizing that Africa's ongoing financial struggles are directly tied to corruption. She pointed out that if not for corrupt practices, Africa would not need to rely on foreign loans.

The financial losses from corruption alone mirror the total loans African countries receive annually from developed nations. Mnaro underscored the importance of effective whistleblower protection, noting that many whistleblowers have paid the ultimate price for their courage in exposing corruption.

Neema Mwakalyelye, Deputy Director-General of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), added her voice to the call for stronger legal protections for whistleblowers, stressing that without them, the fight against corruption cannot succeed.

The dialogue, centered around the theme of "Effective Whistleblower Protection Mechanisms," included a panel discussion on the legal frameworks, institutional structures, and standards necessary to create robust protections for those reporting corruption.
Panelists included AUABC Executive Secretary Charity Nchimunya, Tersia Lewis of the UNODC’s Pretoria office, Nicolas Pinaud from the OECD, and Louis Vlavonou, a Member of Parliament from Benin who leads the Network of African Parliamentarians Against Corruption (APNAC-Africa).

Despite progress through the African Union Convention, adopted in 2003, the ongoing review process reveals significant gaps in its implementation, underscoring the need for further action to curb corruption across the continent.

The panel review identified crucial areas requiring attention, particularly in protecting whistleblowers and enhancing transparency in public offices. Although progress has been made in some African nations, much more remains to be done to ensure that corruption is effectively addressed, financial resources are safeguarded, and those exposing wrongdoing are properly protected.

Tanzania has much to learn from these discussions, as the country continues its own battle against corruption. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has been a vocal advocate for anti-corruption efforts, with his administration making notable strides in addressing the vice through stringent oversight and public accountability.

Under his leadership, Tanzania has focused on strengthening the institutions responsible for monitoring public funds and enforcing anti-corruption laws.

The Controller and Auditor General’s Report for 2022 highlighted significant progress but also revealed troubling cases of financial mismanagement in several public institutions. The report identified misappropriated funds and irregularities that undermine the country’s development.

To build on this, Tanzania must not only enhance the effectiveness of its institutions but also ensure that whistleblower protections are robust and actionable. As the nation moves forward, it must prioritize transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of financial resources to create a truly corruption-free environment and enable sustainable growth for future generations.