West Africa's NACIWA adopts Abuja Leadership Declaration to boost anti-corruption independence

The Network of National Anti‑Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) endorsed the Abuja Leadership Declaration on 22 July 2026 at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja. The declaration commits the fourteen member anti‑graft agencies to operational independence, responsible use of artificial intelligence, talent development and stronger regional cooperation in fighting transnational corruption.

At the same conference, NACIWA began operationalising a regional anti‑corruption protocol that enables cross‑border investigations, intelligence sharing and asset recovery. Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, said the framework is already producing results, with agencies exchanging information and tracing illicit financial flows among West African states.