AUABC Chairperson Mr Kwami Senanu (right) briefs journalists after opening the 50th Ordinary Session in Arusha on November 17, 2025. In the centre is Vice-Chairperson Yvonne Chibiya. (Photo: Tumaini Mbwambo).
By The Arusha News Reporter.
The Chairperson of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC), Mr Kwami Senanu, has called for renewed unity, innovation and resolve in Africa’s fight against graft as the Board opened its landmark 50th Ordinary Session in Arusha last week. The regional agency is headquartered in Arusha.
Mr Senanu sounded the shocking alarm on the scale of Africa’s losses to corruption, saying the continent is estimated to lose about $125 billion every year, an amount he described as “too staggering to ignore.” In comparison, East Africa’s powerhouse, Kenya’s GDP is about $136 billion. It goes without saying therefore that Africa loses annually roughly the entire Kenyan economy to graft alone!
Mr Senanu warned that corruption was partly what undermined Africa’s development and stability, leaving millions wallowing in abject poverty and without essential services, such as health, education, roads and utilities like water and electric supply.
“This 50th milestone is more than a number,” he said in his opening remarks. “It is a moment of maturity and reflection — a reminder to look honestly at how well we have upheld our collective responsibility to promote justice, champion transparency and eradicate corruption across our continent.”
Mr Senanu said that despite years of effort, graft remains a big threat and African institutions must work more closely together. “We need to be more united in our resolve,” he told the delegates. “Only by holding hands can we effectively defeat this nemesis,” he explained.
Earlier, five board members took the oath of office and will serve the organisation for six years: These are: Principe Ntibasume (Burundi); Cheikh Baba Ahmed (Mauritania); Erica Tshenolu Ndlovu (Botswana); Valentine Mokoko (Congo Brazaville) and Nandita Devi Suneechur (Mauritius).
