EFCC boss joins African anti-graft chiefs in South Africa conference to tackle corruption
Ola Olukoyede, the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has joined fellow anti-corruption agency heads from across Africa at a major high-level conference in Cape Town, South Africa, focused on strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against corruption.
The week-long summit, which began on Monday, May 5, 2025, is jointly organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the South African government.
Welcoming delegates to the conference, Andy Mothibi, Head of South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit, commended the strong turnout of anti-graft leaders and stressed the importance of united and sustained action against corruption continent-wide.
The conference is themed: “Enhancing Inclusive Participation of State and Non-State Actors to Prevent and Combat Corruption,”
Mr. Olukoyede is slated to chair a critical session on Tuesday, May 6, titled “Strategies and Legal Frameworks for Improving the Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Agencies.”
He is expected to explore both internal reforms and external partnerships that can enhance anti-corruption efforts through the practical application of existing legal instruments.
One of the standout moments of the conference so far was a presentation by Dr. Olu Ajayi, who spoke on “Closing Africa’s Integrity Gap with AI-Enabled Systems That Induce Behavioural Change.” In her presentation, she highlighted the immense potential of artificial intelligence in transforming anti-corruption efforts.
“AI can uncover hidden patterns of fraud, minimize human discretion where bribery flourishes, empower citizens to report corrupt practices, and help prevent corruption before it occurs,” she stated.
As part of the week’s agenda, participants will also examine country-specific progress reports, allowing for shared learning and alignment of strategies across African nations. Mr. Olukoyede is scheduled to present Nigeria’s report on Thursday, offering insights into recent developments, reforms, and challenges in the country’s anti-corruption drive.
