Combating Corruption in Africa: Analysis and Context

Abstract

Corruption is certainly not a social vice unique to Africa. It prevails in one form or another in practically all countries. But, as this book demonstrates, it is endemic in Africa. It is common knowledge that highly placed African government officials extort commissions on foreign loan contracts and deposit them in overseas banks. The very people who are supposed to defend and protect the peasants’ interests have instead been responsible for institutionalized looting. Dishonesty, thievery and peculation pervade the public sector in Africa. Public servants embezzle state funds and high-ranking ministers are on the take. The chief bandit is often the head of state himself. The extent and magnitude of this scourge is difficult to estimate, owing to its illegality and the painstaking efforts the culprits take to conceal it. However, newspaper and other reports do afford some insight into its pervasiveness.