Governance and the fight against corruption in Africa: parliamentary documentation for the first meeting of the Committee on Governance and Popular Participation

Abstract

Corruption remains the most daunting challenge for most African countries. As evidenced by several studies and surveys, it is a major obstacle to economic progress, social welfare service delivery and good governance on the continent 1. It is estimated that, in 2004, the continent lost more than $148 billion to corruption, or 25 per cent of its gross domestic product. In addition, 50 per cent of tax revenue and $30 billion in aid for Africa ended up in corrupt hands2.