Despite the world’s advancements, ongoing corruption impedes progress, affecting people’s fundamental needs. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that Africa will lose $88.6 billion (3.7% of Africa’s GDP) annually to illicit financial flows. Corruption diverts resources from critical social initiatives like education and healthcare and marginalizes groups from playing an active role in society and governance. 

To support the fight against corruption, representatives from civil society, academia, and youth agencies have formulated recommendations at a regional dialogue organized by the UNODC through its Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) Initiative. The event took place between the 19^th and 20^th of June, 2023, in Kenya, and it was the second of three regional dialogues for non-state actors.

Representatives offered several recommendations to help fight corruption, which included enhancing youth capacity by establishing “Youth Labs in Africa” to support learning. They also agreed to collaborate with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to implement anti-corruption education in African schools. Delegates will present the recommendations at the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) scheduled for the United States in December this year.

During the opening session of the ‘Regional and Global Efforts to Advance the Anti-Corruption Agenda: Dialogue for Africa,’ Maria Temesvari, UNODC Deputy Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, said corruption undermined justice and equality and diverted resources from public policy. She added that there was a need to join forces to safeguard the public’s interest. “This is a unique opportunity for civil society organizations, academia, and youth to share learnings to better address corruption in our countries and promote education and youth empowerment,” Temesvari said.

​​Speaking at the event, Chairperson for the Kenyan Ethics and Integrity Commission, Dr. David Oginde, described corruption as a “complex phenomenon affecting many African countries.” Corruption has hindered government departments from functioning correctly, leaving its citizens impoverished. “Civil society can play a crucial role in providing civic education to the communities. The youth need to actively participate in the fight against corruption by using social media campaigns, amongst others, and academia needs to discourage the sale of degrees and raise a generation of leaders with integrity,” Oginde asserted.

The author of this article, Parnneh Mallobe, Communications Officer at Accountability Lab Liberia and a UNODC, GRACE Initiative, Youth-LED Advisory Board member, explained that young people need to approach public service with a mindset of leadership supported by integrity. She added, “The youth must be encouraged to make informed decisions when voting for leaders, looking to their records of accountability and integrity to help determine their willingness to support policy, fight corruption, and advance young people.”

Another participant, Ayotunde Aboderin of MUN Impact Nigeria, stressed the need for an educational system supporting youth. According to him, a robust anti-crime education campaign can equip the youth with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to navigate life’s challenges and make choices that will lead them toward a promising future.

On 21^st June 2023, a dedicated youth event called ‘UNCAC belongs to YOUth: African Youth 2030 Vision’ provided a platform for youth representatives to meet with members of the UNODC’s YouthLED Integrity Advisory Board, Kenyan Youth Leadership, and the UN Leadership, guided by the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Nairobi. Delegates identified challenges that young people in Africa face due to corruption and developed a set of aspirations to achieve by 2030. They later signed the African Youth 2030 Vision and presented it to the UNODC. Afterward, delegates joined Neil Walsh, UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, in a tree-planting ceremony to mark the adoption of the document.

Parnneh Mallobe