African heads of anti-corruption agencies have converged in Cameroon to strategise on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in combating corruption across the continent.
The 16th Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa is currently underway in Yaoundé, running from 4 to 8 May 2026 under the theme: “Deploying Artificial Intelligence in the Fight Against Corruption in Commonwealth Africa.”
The conference is jointly organised by the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (AAACoA), the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Cameroon’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC).
According to the Chairman of CONAC, Rev. Dr Dieudonné Massi Gams, the gathering provides a platform for Cameroon to exchange ideas with other nations on building transparent societies grounded in accountability and integrity. Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Yaoundé Conference Centre, he expressed optimism that digital transformation could significantly strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, stressing that enforcement efforts must be complemented by prevention.
Representing the Head of State, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Supreme State Audit, Mbah Acha Rose, outlined Cameroon’s vision for a modern, transparent and accountable public administration as a cornerstone of national development. She emphasised that the country is addressing evolving corruption challenges through sophisticated, technology-driven solutions.
She described the conference as a vital platform for dialogue and action aimed at building societies where corruption has no place, highlighting Cameroon’s national development agenda, which integrates digital transformation tools to enhance transparency, accountability and reduce fraud.
More than 80 participants from 21 countries are attending the conference, which is expected to reinforce a shared commitment to combating corruption across Africa and beyond. The opening ceremony featured a vibrant cultural display celebrating the diversity of Cameroon and the African continent, with speakers underscoring the importance of transparency, integrity, collaboration and the strategic use of AI in driving meaningful change.
As part of the event, two prominent figures in Africa’s anti-corruption landscape were honoured with the Atoghu, a traditional Cameroonian attire from the Northwest Region, typically worn by royalty and dignitaries. The CONAC Chairman decorated Dr Roger Koranteng of the Commonwealth Secretariat, recognised for his decades-long service, alongside Rose Seretse of Botswana, a founding member of the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Association and consultant with her country’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).
In her address, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, underscored the broader significance of the fight against corruption.
“The fight against corruption is, at its heart, a fight for human dignity; it is theft from our people’s future. Africa’s brilliance, innovation and potential are limitless when integrity is the foundation. The Commonwealth Secretariat stands with every nation here today in building systems where transparency is the norm, accountability is the culture, and public trust is the reward,” she said.
By Solange Tegwi