IG Participates In Regional Meeting On Asset Recovery And Human Rights In Addis Ababa
Aug. 25, 2026
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) is participating in a
two-day regional meeting on illicit financial flows, asset recovery and the
right to development, taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 25th to 26th
August 2026.
The Inspectorate is represented at the meeting by Mr. Jemba
James, Principal Inspectorate Officer.
The meeting, organised by the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), seeks to support Governments'
efforts to repatriate funds of illicit origin and ensure that recovered assets
contribute to the advancement of economic, social and cultural rights and the
right to development, pursuant to United Nations Human Rights Council
Resolution 58/7 of 4th April 2025.
The meeting brings together stakeholders to identify
regional good practices, key challenges, policy recommendations and areas for
further cooperation, while strengthening commitments to prevent and combat
illicit financial flows and corruption. It also provides a platform for
anti-corruption institutions and other stakeholders to share experiences and
best practices in building institutional capacity to address illicit financial
flows.
Africa's Illicit Financial
Flows
The meeting comes against the backdrop of significant
illicit financial outflows from Africa, estimated at approximately US$88.6
billion annually. The loss of such resources undermines development and limits
Governments' ability to finance programmes that address the social and economic
needs of their citizens.
Participants emphasised the urgent need to trace, recover
and return assets of illicit origin derived from corruption to the countries
from which they originated. The return and proper management of such assets, in
line with Chapter V of the United Nations Convention against Corruption
(UNCAC), can enable countries to invest recovered resources in development
projects based on their national priorities.
Strengthening Regional
Cooperation
Deliberations at the meeting have highlighted the need for
a strong and coordinated regional resolve to advance the right to development
and strengthen cooperation within the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.
Participants called for stronger mechanisms to close
loopholes that facilitate illicit financial flows, greater transparency and
constructive engagement with local and international civil society
organisations. They also emphasised the need to strengthen mutual legal
assistance (MLA) mechanisms to facilitate timely and effective investigation,
prosecution, tracing and recovery of illicit assets.
The discussions further underscored the need for
institutions to develop quick, practical and efficient solutions to the
challenges associated with illicit financial flows and to strengthen the
delivery of their mandates in promoting justice, accountability and human
rights.
Participants also stressed that combating illicit financial
flows and corruption requires joint efforts among African countries,
particularly in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery. This calls for
clear cooperation frameworks and constructive engagement among African
countries and relevant regional and international institutions.
The meeting further recognised asset return as an important
milestone in advancing economic and social development, requiring effective
detection, tracing, recovery, return and management of recovered assets,
supported by strong cooperation and partnerships.
The IG's participation in the meeting underscores its
commitment to strengthening international and regional cooperation in the fight
against corruption, illicit financial flows and the concealment of proceeds of
corruption, while ensuring that recovered public resources contribute to national
development and the well-being of citizens.