AU Chief Urges Africa to Move Beyond Laws in Anti-Corruption Fight

Ethiopia, July 11, 2026 - African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called on African countries to go beyond passing anti-corruption laws and instead build a culture of integrity, accountability and transparency to safeguard the continent's future. Marking African Anti-Corruption Day on Friday, Youssouf said legal and institutional frameworks alone cannot defeat corruption, urging governments, institutions, businesses and citizens to work together to promote ethical leadership and good governance. This year's commemoration is themed "Scaling up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa." "The promotion of integrity and the fight against corruption are a shared continental responsibility. By scaling up our collective efforts, we can safeguard Africa's resources, strengthen public trust and accelerate the realisation of Agenda 2063 for the benefit of present and future generations," Youssouf said. He said corruption remains a major obstacle to Africa's development, peace, security and social justice, stressing that integrity and transparency are essential for achieving the African Union's long-term vision under Agenda 2063. Quoting former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Youssouf said: "If corruption is a disease, integrity and transparency are the essential remedies for the rebirth of our continent." The AUC Chairperson noted that while the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) has played a key role in implementing the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), adopted in 2003, more needs to be done to change attitudes towards corruption. He said lasting progress would require a broader cultural transformation that embeds ethics, integrity and accountability across African societies. Youssouf also urged member states to adopt and implement national integrity and ethics strategies while strengthening cross-border cooperation to recover stolen assets and harmonise anti-corruption efforts across the continent. "Continental integration requires trust among Member States, and that trust can only be sustained through integrity, transparency and robust systems of accountability," he said. Reaffirming the African Union Commission's support for the fight against corruption, Youssouf pledged continued backing for the AUABC and called on governments, civil society, the private sector and citizens to play an active role in promoting accountability. African Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on 11 July to commemorate the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003. The day provides an opportunity for African countries to assess progress made in combating corruption and renew commitments to strengthening governance and protecting public resources.