Nigeria calls for strategic diplomacy to tackle illicit financial flows in Africa

African nations have been urged to adopt strategic diplomacy in their engagements with the global North to effectively combat the challenges of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) and facilitate the repatriation of stolen assets.

This call was made by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, during the inaugural meeting of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Forum (AARP-FORUM), recently held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr Adamu Aliyu, who is currently serving as Chairman of the Forum’s Interim Steering Committee, noted that Africa has endured centuries of economic exploitation—from the transatlantic slave trade through colonialism to the modern scourge of IFFs.

According to him, a collective African response anchored on strategic diplomacy, stronger legal frameworks, and increased accountability from international financial institutions is essential.

Highlighting specific challenges, the ICPC Chairman pointed to the lack of cooperation from some countries in the global North, particularly concerning Mutual Legal Assistance, which continues to impede cross-border asset recovery efforts.

The Chairman also lamented the limited participation of North African countries in the Forum, a gap he said weakens the continent’s unified advocacy for policy and legal reforms.

Dr Adamu Aliyu further raised concerns about the issue of re-looting recovered assets, stressing that weak governance structures and inadequate accountability mechanisms in some African states often result in recovered funds being misappropriated. This, he said, erodes public trust and stalls further recovery efforts.

“To overcome these challenges, we must implement robust oversight mechanisms that ensure transparency and accountability in the management of recovered assets,” he stated.

“The success of this forum depends on the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders to confront these issues head-on,” he added.

Dr Adamu Aliyu hailed the Forum as a milestone in Africa’s anti-corruption efforts, describing it as a platform for collaboration among practitioners across the continent.

He added: “Through this forum, African countries are not only aligning efforts but also speaking with one voice on asset recovery matters. This ensures the continent is better equipped to reclaim its stolen wealth and reinvest it into critical development priorities.”

He further described the AARP-FORUM as “a new era of collaboration—a dedicated space for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and coordinate actions to stem the tide of illicit financial flows.”

The Nairobi meeting concluded with a clear mandate: to operationalise the AARP-FORUM without delay. Among the next steps are regional capacity-building workshops co-hosted by the ICPC, the creation of a real-time digital asset tracing platform, and diplomatic engagements with global institutions, including the United Nations, to push for more equitable recovery treaties.

The Forum also committed to ensuring that recovered assets are tracked, audited, and transparently reinvested into development priorities such as education, health, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.

For Nigeria, and particularly for the ICPC, the AARP-FORUM represents an affirmation of leadership on the global anti-corruption stage. Under Dr Aliyu’s stewardship, the Commission has evolved from a national watchdog to a continental force in the fight for financial justice.

The Forum not only strengthens Nigeria’s strategic posture but also positions the country as a torchbearer for Africa’s collective future.

In his closing statement, Dr Adamu Aliyu delivered what may come to define this generation’s legacy: “This Forum is more than an opportunity—it is a call to action.

“A chance for Africa to reclaim its resources, assert its sovereignty, and lead the global struggle against corruption and financial crime. The road ahead is undeniably difficult, but the stakes are too high for Africa to waver. Together, we can—and we must—reclaim our future.”

The establishment of the AARP-FORUM marks a significant step in operationalising the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR). Consultations to advance CAPAR began in Dakar in September 2022, culminating in the Forum’s creation in May 2024 in Addis Ababa.

It was officially launched on 8 November 2024 in Arusha, Tanzania, during the 8th Annual Africa Anti-Corruption Dialogue, as contained in a statement signed by Demola Bakare, fsi, Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/Spokesperson for the Commission.

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