African Union Advisory Board on Corruption


The Member States of the African Union adopted the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (The Convention) at the Second Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Maputo (Mozambique), on 11th July 2003. The Convention entered into force on 5th August 2006, thirty (30) days after the deposit of the fifteenth (15th) instrument of ratification. To date thirty-four (34) countries have ratified the Convention and are States Parties to it.

The Member States of the African Union adopted the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (The Convention) at the Second Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Maputo (Mozambique), on 11th July 2003. The Convention entered into force on 5th August 2006, thirty (30) days after the deposit of the fifteenth (15th) instrument of ratification. To date thirty-four (34) countries have ratified the Convention and are States Parties to it.

Creation of the Board
The Board is the emanation of The Convention and it was created on 26th May 2009 under Article 22 (1) of The Convention. This organ bases its work on the provisions of this legal instrument and in this regard, it is the unique continental organization mandated by the African Union to deal with corruption and related themes in Africa.

Mandate of the Board
The main mandate of the Board is to promote and encourage the adoption of measures and actions by State Parties to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in Africa as well as to follow-up on the application of those measures and submit a report to the Executive Council on a regular basis on the progress made by each State Party in complying with the provisions of the Convention.

Mission of the Board
The mission of the AUABC, which has clearly been stated out in Article 22 (5) of the Convention, is to:
a. Promote and encourage adoption and application of anti-corruption measures on the continent;
b. Collect and document information on the nature and scope of corruption and related offences in Africa;
c. Develop methodologies for analyzing the nature and extent of corruption in Africa, and disseminate information and sensitize the public on the negative effects of corruption and related offences;
d. Advise governments on how to deal with the scourge of corruption and related offences in their domestic jurisdictions;
e. Collect information and analyze the conduct and behavior of multi-national corporations operating in Africa and disseminate such information to national authorities designated under Article 18 (1) of the Convention hereof;
f. Develop and promote the adoption of harmonized codes of conduct of public officials;
g. Build partnerships with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, African civil Society, governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to facilitate dialogue in the fight against corruption and related offences;
h. Submit a report to Executive Council on a regular basis on the progress made by each State Party in complying with the provisions of The Convention;
i. Perform any other task relating to corruption and related offences that may be assigned to it by the policy organs of the African Union.

Composition of the Board
The Board is composed of 11 members, each proposed by States Parties and elected by the Executive Council from a list of experts. The Board Members should be of:
• Highest integrity and impartiality,
• Recognized competence in matters relating to preventing and combating corruption and related offences.

For the election of Board Members, the Executive Council shall ensure adequate representation of women, and equitable geographical representation. The members of the Board are independent personalities who serve in their personal capacity. They are appointed for a period of two years, renewable once. The first Board was appointed for the period 2009-2011, and the current Board which is the third was elected on 31st January 2013 for the period 2013-2015.

The AUABC Bureau
The Board elects from among its members a Bureau comprising of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and a Rapporteur. Members of the Bureau are appointed for a period of one (1) year. The Bureau ensures the planning and coordination of the activities of the Board necessary to execute its functions under Article 22 (5) of The Convention. The Bureau may represent the Board in regional and international conferences or meetings related to its functions and mandate. The Bureau may, after informing the African Union Commission (AUC) and on behalf of the Board, conclude partnerships and cooperation arrangements with other organizations or regional or international institutions pursuing similar goals.