EACC pledges to leverage technology in combating corruption
EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud shared the commission’s enhanced strategic direction, particularly in light of its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has reiterated its commitment to leveraging technology and taking a more proactive approach to combat corruption.
During his address at the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud shared the commission’s enhanced strategic direction, particularly in light of its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan.
He emphasized three key focus areas: actively overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects, tackling bribery within public service delivery, and intensifying efforts to recover and seize assets linked to corruption.
"Proactive monitoring of capital projects is proving to be more effective and less costly than investigating after implementation," said Mohamud.
The CEO emphasized the importance of strengthening technical capabilities throughout the region to address the challenges posed by corruption in infrastructure development.
Highlighting digitization as a powerful tool against bribery, Mohamud pointed out that automating public service processes would significantly reduce human discretion, which is often a key driver of corruption.
Additionally, the EACC chairperson outlined ongoing initiatives to ensure that recovered assets are effectively managed and reinvested for the benefit of the public.
The week-long conference, which ran from Monday to Friday, gathered leaders of anti-corruption bodies and senior officials from 21 African nations, under the theme: "Promoting Inclusive Engagement of State and Non-State Actors in Combating and Preventing Corruption."
The event, organized by South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU), provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange to enhance anti-corruption efforts across the African continent.
Mmamoloko Kubayi, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, delivered a speech on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighting corruption as a major threat to public trust, economic growth, and institutional integrity.
Advocate Andy Mothibi, the Head of the SIU, supported this message, emphasizing the importance of regional unity and asserting that "African problems require African solutions."
Kubayi also emphasized the transformative potential of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating corruption.
She urged agencies to invest in strengthening the digital and investigative skills of their personnel to effectively counter the growing challenges posed by tech-savvy criminal networks.
