The Regional Conference of the Eastern Africa Anti-Corruption Platform took place from May 20 to 23, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a significant step in phase II of the platform’s initiatives aimed at combating just corruption in the Eastern African region. This important gathering brought together 181 representatives from various sectors, including government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners from ten EAAACA member countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Additionally, two observer states, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, were also present.
Organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Eastern Africa Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA), and the Kenyan Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the conference was supported financially by multiple organizations, including the UNODC-World Bank Joint Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, the UN Global Compact (UNGC), as well as contributions from the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the European Union, and the Siemens Integrity Initiative.
The conference’s primary focus was on identifying and prioritizing reforms to strengthen anti-corruption measures in Eastern Africa. Through technical discussions, experts from various anti-corruption agencies, financial intelligence units, and prosecution services examined key concerns such as asset recovery, whistleblower protection, public procurement integrity, and enhancing private sector involvement in combating corruption. This collaborative analysis culminated in a high-level policy dialogue, resulting in an endorsed Outcome Statement that will guide future efforts in implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in the region.
The conference was deemed crucial for sharing best practices, fostering international cooperation, and formulating strategies to promote transparency and accountability in governance. Notably, Mr. Felix Koskei, Kenya’s Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, underscored the importance of tackling corruption for ensuring sustainable economic growth and enhancing the quality of life across Eastern Africa.
In the aftermath of the conference, the UNODC is set to work in coordination with EAAACA to develop actionable initiatives at both country and regional levels, ensuring that the recommendations outlined in the Outcome Statement are effectively implemented. This commitment reflects a unified stance from Eastern African countries in their ongoing struggle against corruption, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving lasting change in the region.
