Rwanda | Rwanda hosts regional anti-corruption summit

Corruption is the most pressing governance and development challenge that Africa is confronted with today – a problem that is eating up billions of dollars which could have been going to poverty programs, say experts at a regional conference in Kigali.

Officials from anti-graft bodies representing the different regional groupings in Africa are in Kigali for a two-day conference to find ways of controlling corruption. The meet is organized by Rwanda in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union (AU).

“We want to put our efforts together as all regional anti-corruption networks to share experiences and ideas because corruption has crippled our African continent for many years,” said Prof. Said Adejuumobi, from UNECA.

He said political will and massive sensitization of the population could raise awareness on the ills of corruption.

About 50 percent of tax revenue and US$30 billion in aid to Africa is said to be diverted away from development through corruption. Africa annually loses US$50 billion to western countries through different channels but mostly by politicians investing abroad, say experts.

As other countries see their resources disappear through corruption, anti-graft group Transparency International said recently that Rwanda is corruption free. Various legal instruments have been put in place to block illegal exchange of cash. Hundreds of police officers and civil servants have lost their jobs as a result of the tough control measures.

Rwanda Ombudsman, Augustin Nzindukiyimana, told delegates that political will at the high levels of government has been the magic behind Rwanda’s successes.

“Rwanda has moved from 2/10 points five years ago to 5/10 – which is a very significant development,” said Nzindukiyimana, adding that the target is “to fight corruption to zero level.”