The Centre for Anti-Corruption Studies and Research in Africa (CEREAC) was launched as part of the 8th Annual General Assembly of the African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA).

The event was held under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation and Institutional Innovation for an Effective Fight Against Corruption in Africa”. It brought together heads and representatives of anti-corruption agencies from African countries, as well as experts in governance and anti-corruption.

The establishment of CEREAC is seen as a step towards developing a more systematic and evidence-based approach to countering corruption on the continent. The Centre is expected to serve as AAACA’s research and analytical arm, supporting research, anti-corruption policy development, knowledge exchange, capacity building and technical assistance for anti-corruption authorities.

Abdi Mohamud, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), noted that the fight against corruption can no longer be viewed solely as a domestic matter for individual states: corruption schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and cross-border in nature, requiring closer cooperation among anti-corruption authorities, including information sharing, joint investigations and mutual legal assistance. At the same time, CEREAC is expected to become a platform for research, anti-corruption policy development, capacity building and knowledge exchange, as well as for designing solutions that take into account the specific contexts of African countries.

The decision to establish the Centre had been taking shape over several years. The initiative was supported at AAACA’s 5th General Assembly in Bujumbura in 2022, and in 2023 the Centre was formally established at the Assembly in Johannesburg. In January 2024, Kenya was selected as the host country for CEREAC following a competitive process. The Centre, which has administrative and financial autonomy, is expected to strengthen regional cooperation, promote research, support the development of practical recommendations and enhance the effectiveness of anti-corruption policy in Africa.