African nations have been urged to unite in developing a coordinated strategy and implementing practical frameworks to combat resource theft and facilitate the recovery of stolen assets across the continent.
This call to action was made at the inaugural meeting of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners Forum (AARP), currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya. Themed “Supporting Efforts of African Union Member States to Effectively Implement the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR)”, the three-day forum has attracted representatives from 31 African countries, alongside international organisations and civil society groups.
In a statement, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity at Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), explained that the Forum’s core aim is to strengthen collaboration among the second largest continent to curb illicit financial flows and reinforce asset repatriation efforts.
Delivering his remarks, Mr Abdi Mohamud, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), acknowledged Africa’s complex role as both a victim and, at times, an enabler of resource exploitation.
“While Africa has suffered tremendously from resource theft, we must also acknowledge that we have sometimes aided these external actors. It’s time we shift the narrative and collectively reclaim our stolen assets,” he stated.
Mr Mohamud further criticised the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for placing African nations on its grey list—despite these countries being victims of exploitation—while foreign states responsible for the looting remain largely unscathed. He called for enhanced transparency in the utilisation of recovered assets and advocated for the strict enforcement of asset forfeiture laws targeting public officeholders with unexplained wealth.
Hon. Seynabou Diakhate Ndiaye, Chairperson of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC), described the gathering as a “new dawn” for Africa’s fight against corruption and the recovery of stolen assets. She underscored the importance of sustained political will and inter-state cooperation in implementing CAPAR effectively.
Dr Musa Aliyu, Interim Chairman of AARP and Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), reiterated the Forum’s commitment to tackling illicit financial flows and advancing collective asset recovery efforts across the continent.
A major highlight of the Forum was the formal signing of the AARP Charter—a foundational document outlining the Forum’s operational framework—by key anti-corruption agencies, asset recovery bodies, and prosecutorial institutions, including Nigeria’s EFCC and ICPC.
The event has also drawn participation from prominent international institutions, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Civil Society Forum for Asset Recovery, reflecting robust global support for the initiative.
The Forum, which commenced on Tuesday, 15 April 2025, is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, 17 April 2025.
Ms Aisha Mohammed, Head of EFCC’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, represented the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, at the high-level event.
