According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), corruption stands as one of the greatest barriers to global economic and social progress. Every year, around $1 trillion is paid in bribes, while an estimated $2.6 trillion — more than 5% of the world’s GDP — is lost to corruption.
In Africa, corruption severely hampers growth and development, costing the continent roughly 25% of its GDP annually. Addressing this persistent issue — which weakens governance, deters investment, and deepens inequality — has become a top priority for the African Development Bank.
With the 2025 Annual Meetings themed “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” combating corruption is seen as a key driver in unlocking the continent’s full potential. As African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina once said, “Corruption does not invest in the future, it kills the future.”
A Strategic, Multi-Level Approach
In line with its mission, the African Development Bank is committed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and integrity across Africa. It is taking a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to tackle corruption.
Key initiatives include the Ten-Year Strategy 2024–2033, which emphasizes good governance and anti-corruption efforts, and the 2025–2026 Action Plan to combat money laundering and illicit financial flows by improving regulatory oversight and ownership transparency. Additionally, a forthcoming 2025–2030 Anti-Corruption Action Plan will aim to strengthen public procurement systems, oversight bodies, civic engagement, and international cooperation.
Improving Public Sector Governance
Governance and corruption risk assessments are integrated into the Bank’s operations through tools like the Country Policy and Institutional Assessments (CPIA) and Country Fiduciary Risk Assessments (CFRA). These help identify risks and support nations in implementing reforms.
In Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, the Bank has supported the creation of a national anti-corruption strategy and legal framework reform. In South Sudan, it has provided capacity-building for the anti-corruption commission, and in Egypt, it has contributed to strengthening the powers of the Administrative Control Authority.
Asset Recovery and International Collaboration
The Bank plays a central role in implementing the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) and collaborates with platforms such as the African Asset Recovery Practitioners Forum. It works alongside the African Union, UNODC, and GIZ to enhance asset recovery efforts and ensure transparency in beneficial ownership through networks like ABENOT.
Enforcement, Investigations, and Prevention
Through its Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption (PIAC), the Bank conducts investigations, enforces sanctions, and performs integrity reviews for high-risk operations. In 2020 alone, 155 entities were debarred under an agreement shared by leading multilateral banks.
The Bank also advocates for inclusive governance by integrating women and underrepresented groups into anti-corruption frameworks. It actively engages civil society, the media, and the private sector in promoting fiscal transparency and public oversight.