Panelists (Ken Opalo, Associate Professor- School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Carlos Lopes Professor, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, UCT, Hodan Osman, President- Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank, Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs), at the 2024 Africa Summit organized by the Financial Times in London took a critical look at the prevalent situation of corruption in Africa, as a result of contributing factors. The summit provided an avenue for influential voices to debate the important issues of governance and accountability facing the continent.

It Takes Two to Tangle

The debate, which often bordered on corruption, got more heated when Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chairman of Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Co-founder and Co-chairman of the Africa-Europe Foundation, asked an incisive question that sounded like: “It takes two to tangle. I haven’t seen many trials in Europe. Are the African leaders corrupting themselves?” This resurfaced an argument about the global nature of corruption and its implications for Africa.

Corruption is Global, but Poverty Makes it Popular in Africa.

Upon the participant’s question, the panelists shared what they saw as the leading causes of corruption and agreed on the economic aspect involved. “Corruption is overall, and it is everywhere. It is a challenge we should try to end” Ken Opalo, Associate Professor at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University stated. 

He gave an example of Malawi, which was almost sunk by the corruption of billions of kwachas because of its tiny economy. He further explained that countries which have bigger economies normally face different challenges as far as corruption is concerned.

To add to the conversation, Carlos Lopes, Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town explained that African economies are the most vulnerable. He said, “Africa is being treated unfairly,” showcasing the systemic problems that give rise to corruption on the continent.

Possible Solutions

As the discussion unfolded, the panelists began throwing in different suggestions for change that would help fight corruption. They said that there was a need for them to ensure they focus on economic growth but also ensure accountability for corruption not to get away scot-free. 

Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, contributed that “Britain has the Bribery Act”, which was quite fundamental in the war against corruption. His contribution underlined the need for similar legislation in African countries so that transparency and accountability could be assured.

The Africa Summit showed just how complex the context of corruption in Africa was, while at the same time drawing attention to challenges and possible solutions which might lead to meaningful reform.

Editor: Dessalegn Masrie, Ethiopia

Chief Editor: Marian Gloria Gyamfi, Ghana

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