AfDB set to tackle illicit financial flows, corruption in Africa – Official

by · The Eagle Online

In its efforts to tackle illicit financial flows and corruption in Africa, the African Development Bank has begun the training of relevant stakeholders to build their capacity.

Dr. Eric Ogunleye, AfDB’s Acting Director and Division Manager, Policy Management, African Development Institute, said this.

Ogunleye spoke in Abuja during the Public Financial Management Executive Training Education of the Public Financial Management Academy for Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the training was organised for mid to senior level officials from the Ministries of Finance and Planning, central banks, and other public financial management institutions from across African countries.

Participants were also drawn from key anti-corruption agencies and statistical offices.

The theme of the training was: “Enhancing Accountability, Transparency and Curbing Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa.”

Ogunleye said: “This training, which will hold from December 11 to December 15, is special because it is the first hybrid training for this cohort.

“It is also special because our deserving participants will graduate and receive certificates at the end of this module in a few days.

“I am excited because the journey we started together in March 2022 has gradually come to a happy and beneficial ending.”

According to Ogunleye, several pieces of positive feedback have been received from participants on how the training has greatly benefited their daily work, career, and professional development.

He said the Academy also received commendations from its stakeholders on the impact these trainings were making in their countries.

He said: “Following this, several requests for country-specific and sub-national versions of these trainings from regional member countries have been requested.

“This feedback has further encouraged and strengthened our commitment to continue delivering the 18 months of structured executive training.”

He said the training aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of accountability, transparency, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism and anti-illicit financial flows and obligations in mitigating the risks.

Ogunleye said that participants were expected to have an improved capacity to design and implement robust institutional, policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks at the end of the training.

The Director said the improved capacity should also enhance accountability and transparency and curb corruption and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa, among other things.

On evaluation, Ogunleye said: ”This is a competency training programme that will lead to certification at the end of the 18-months training period, which for this cohort would be at the end of this training.

“Therefore, some criteria have been developed for the course and participants’ evaluation, accreditation, and certification.

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“On the last day of the training, we will send you some survey evaluation questions, requesting you to provide feedback on this training.

“Please endeavour to respond to those survey questions, as that would help us improve the training programmes.”