The African Development Bank (AfDB) has commenced a groundbreaking initiative, training key stakeholders to enhance their capabilities in combatting illicit financial flows and corruption across Africa.
Dr. Eric Ogunleye, Acting Director and Division Manager of Policy Management at the African Development Institute of AfDB, made this announcement in Abuja during the Public Financial Management Executive Training Education of the Public Financial Management Academy for Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that mid-to senior-level officials from various African countries’ Ministries of Finance and Planning, central banks, and other public financial management institutions participated in the training. Additionally, participants were drawn from prominent anti-corruption agencies and statistical offices under the theme, “Enhancing Accountability, Transparency, and Curbing Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa.”
Dr. Ogunleye expressed his enthusiasm for the unique nature of this training, being the first hybrid training for this cohort, and congratulated the participants on their imminent graduation. He highlighted the positive feedback received from previous participants, affirming the significant impact of the training on their daily work, careers, and professional growth. Furthermore, he acknowledged the increasing demand for country-specific and sub-national versions of the training from regional member countries.
The training aims to deepen participants’ comprehension of accountability, transparency, anti-corruption measures, anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism, and the fight against illicit financial flows. It seeks to equip participants with the capacity to develop and implement robust institutional, policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks and enhance accountability, transparency, and the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows in Africa.
Dr. Ogunleye explained that the 18-month structured executive training program will culminate in certification, with specific criteria for evaluation, accreditation, and certification developed for the participants. He encouraged active participation in the survey evaluation questions that will be provided at the end of the training, emphasizing the importance of feedback in improving future training programs.
This initiative by the African Development Bank signifies a pivotal step towards fostering transparency, accountability, and integrity in Africa’s financial landscape, embodying a collective effort to combat corruption and promote sustainable development across the continent.
