The Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) is set to adopt comprehensive guidelines aimed at strengthening cross-border investigations, asset tracing, and recovery across West African states.
This was disclosed in a communiqué issued at the end of the 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of NACIWA, held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to the communiqué, the ECOWAS Guidelines for Borderless Investigations, Asset Tracing, Recovery, and Management currently under review will soon be adopted by all member states.
The Guidelines are expected to provide a harmonized framework for combating corruption and ensuring greater accountability across the region.
The communiqué mandated the NACIWA Secretariat “to ensure that the process of adoption of the final Guidelines is completed before the end of the first quarter of 2026.” Member states were also urged to integrate the Guidelines into their respective national anti-corruption frameworks to promote uniformity and cooperation in tackling corruption.
Reaffirming its commitment to existing regional and global anti-corruption instruments, the Assembly pledged continued adherence to the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption (2001), the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
The communiqué further emphasized the necessity of regional collaboration in addressing the challenges of asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and information sharing among member institutions.
“The 7th AGA reaffirms the importance of regional cooperation in asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and information exchange, urging member institutions to strengthen coordination with national financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies,” the communiqué stated.
During the Assembly, members approved the admission of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and welcomed the participation of Comissão de Prevenção da Corrupção (CPC) Cabo Verde as new members of the network. Both institutions were commended for their commitment to prevention-based anti-corruption reforms.
The Assembly also encouraged anti-corruption bodies across the region to deepen partnerships with National Financial Intelligence Units (NFIUs), law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs), youth groups, and the media to promote citizens’ engagement and active participation in the fight against corruption.
In a unanimous decision, members re-elected the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukayede, as the President of NACIWA for another three-year term. Other Executive Committee members whose terms expired at the close of the 7th AGA were also re-elected by consensus, both in-person and virtually, by member institutions across West Africa.
The communiqué concluded with a renewed call for unity of purpose, integrity, and sustained regional cooperation in the pursuit of a corruption-free West Africa.