AU Chief Urges Africa to Move Beyond Laws in Anti-Corruption Fight
African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for a cultural shift toward integrity and accountability to combat corruption across the continent. He emphasized that legal frameworks alone are insufficient and urged for collective action to safeguard Africa's resources and future.
Why it matters
Corruption remains a primary barrier to economic development and social justice in Africa, impacting the success of the AU's Agenda 2063.
Ethiopia, July 11, 2026 - African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called on African countries to go beyond passing anti-corruption laws and instead build a culture of integrity, accountability and transparency to safeguard the continent's future. Marking African Anti-Corruption Day on Friday, Youssouf said legal and institutional frameworks alone cannot defeat corruption, urging governments, institutions, businesses and citizens to work together to promote ethical leadership and good governance. This year's commemoration is themed "Scaling up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa." "The promotion of integrity and the fight against corruption are a shared continental responsibility. By scaling up our collective efforts, we can safeguard Africa's resources, strengthen public trust and accelerate the realisation of Agenda 2063 for the benefit of present and future generations," Youssouf said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in