The Minister of State in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ridhiwani Kikwete, has called on African countries to strengthen unity and coordination in the fight against corruption, warning that the vice continues to slow development and weaken service delivery across the continent.
He made the remarks on April 13, 2026, when opening the 13th Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of African Anti-Corruption Authorities, held at Forest Hill Hotel in Arusha.
Kikwete said Africa’s ambition to achieve self-reliance and sustainable development can only be realized if countries commit to a shared and long-term strategy to eliminate corruption in all its forms.
He noted that corruption is no longer a local issue but a cross-border challenge involving illegal financial flows and increasingly advanced digital networks.
He outlined four key priority areas that he said must guide Africa’s anti-corruption efforts moving forward.
First, he emphasized the need to strengthen cross-border cooperation among anti-corruption agencies. He said corruption cases often involve multiple countries, making it necessary for governments to work closely in sharing intelligence, conducting joint investigations, and recovering stolen assets.
Second, he pointed to the role of technology in improving transparency and accountability. He said digital systems have proven effective in reducing corruption loopholes, particularly in public procurement, revenue collection, and public service delivery, by increasing traceability and reducing human interference.
Third, Kikwete stressed the importance of promoting ethical leadership and integrity at all levels of society.
He said the fight against corruption begins with strong values among leaders and public servants, adding that integrity must be demonstrated in both official duties and personal conduct.
Fourth, he called for greater involvement of citizens, civil society organizations, and the private sector in anti-corruption initiatives.
He said public participation is essential because corruption affects everyone and cannot be addressed by government institutions alone.
Kikwete warned that corruption remains a major barrier to development, affecting essential services such as health, education, and infrastructure.
He said it deprives citizens of quality services and slows down economic growth across African nations.
He expressed optimism that the Arusha meeting would strengthen cooperation among African anti-corruption bodies, promote experience sharing, and reinforce collective commitment to ending corruption and improving governance on the continent.
