Botswana is a shining beacon of hope in the fight against corruption in Africa

Abstract

Botswana is a shining light and beacon of hope in the fight against corruption in Africa and has one of the best anti-corruption profiles on the continent. The statement was made today by Said Adejumobi, Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) Regional Director for Southern Africa, at the official opening of a 3-day regional conference on the theme, “Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa”. Adejumobi stressed that the choice of Botswana to serve as host of the regional conference was not a coincidence. The country, he said, is a success story in fighting corruption; it is one of the best governed countries on the continent, where institutions work and resources are well utilized. President Masisi lauded the organizers of the conference including the ECA and the African Union Southern Africa Office for bringing together different stakeholders including academics, policy makers, development practitioners, and heads of anticorruption agencies in the region saying it was a step in the right direction towards zero tolerance for corruption. Speaking at the same event, African Union Commission representative, Leopold-Auguste Ngomo said, “like cancer, corruption destroys systems.” He called on African states to move towards zero tolerance of corruption by bringing the culprits to book. Organized by the ECA, Southern Africa Office, African Union, Southern Africa Office and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime of Botswana, the 3 day conference will be followed by a “Consultative Meeting of National Anti-Corruption Institutions” from 21-22 June 2018.