Lusaka — The Economic Commission for Africa, Southern Africa Office (ECA-SA) in partnership with the African Union, Southern Africa Office (AU-SARO) are organising two major anti-corruption meetings from 18-22 June 2018 in Gaborone, Botswana. The first is a regional conference on the theme; "Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa" from 18-20 June 2018, and the second is a "Consultative Meeting of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in Southern Africa" from 21-22 June 2018 at the Masa Square Hotel in Gaborone, Botswana.
The keynote address at the regional conference will be delivered by H.E. Professor Amos Sawyer, the former President of Liberia, and Forty-five (45) academic papers will be presented at the conference. The conference will be attended by scholars, policymakers, research institutions, civil society organisations, regional and international institutions and the media. The three-day event will be marked by robust and intense discussions on the problem of corruption including the scourge of illicit financial flows in Southern Africa, its sources and dimensions, the role of key actors in addressing it, and how national policies can be strengthened in addressing it.
The Consultative Meeting will be attended by heads of national anti-corruption institutions in Southern Africa, selected civil society organisations and experts, development partners and regional and international institutions. The objective of the meeting is to provide a platform for anti-corruption institutions in the region to share knowledge and experiences, lessons learned, best practices, and discuss challenges, opportunities and prospects. The meeting will consider establishing a network of national anti-corruption institutions in Southern Africa through which the anti-corruption institutions can effectively network, strengthen their capacity and enhance their fight against corruption in the region.
Corruption no doubt retards the socio-economic progress of Africa countries. It increases the cost of doing business, discourages potential investors, leads to misallocation of scarce resources, affects the delivery of social services, and promotes rent-seeking behaviour that is not productive in African countries. Reflecting on this background, the AU 30th Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa from 22nd - 29th of January 2018 launched 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption Year themed "Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation".
Both meetings are expected to upscale the fight against corruption in Southern Africa by creating an increased knowledge base, understanding and policy options on the problem, and also strengthening the capacity of national anti-corruption institutions in the region.
The meetings are being hosted by the Government of Botswana.
