Kenya, South Africa Join Forces in New Cross-Border Anti-Corruption Pact

Nairobi, August 15, 2025 — In a move designed to strengthen regional governance and accountability, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of Kenya has announced a strategic partnership with South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

Cross-Border Collaboration Gains Momentum

During a courtesy visit on August 14 at the EACC headquarters in Nairobi, CEO Abdi Mohamud welcomed SIU head Andy Mothibi and highlighted the need for shared intelligence, expertise, and forensic training to dismantle corruption syndicates that transcend borders.

Mohamud emphasized that “the fight against corruption knows no boundaries,” underlining the critical role of collaboration in safeguarding public resources and rebuilding public trust.

Strategic Pillars of the Partnership

SIU chief Andy Mothibi hailed the alliance as a foundation for “benchmarking, exchanging best practices and strengthening partnerships across Commonwealth Africa.” The collaboration will focus on:

• Capacity building

• Joint training initiatives

• Technical exchanges

• Staff development

• Collaborative research

Moreover, both agencies agreed to establish a formal mechanism for continuous engagement and knowledge sharing—a framework aimed at sustaining momentum beyond the initial agreement.

EACC’s Regional Anti-Corruption Strategy

This partnership builds on Kenya’s history of anti-graft cooperation:

• Since 2003, Kenya has engaged with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to support high-impact cases, asset recovery, and civil society engagement.

• In May 2024, Kenya hosted a regional conference bringing together anti-corruption bodies from across East Africa to explore themes like procurement integrity, whistleblower protection, and asset recovery.

The partnership with South Africa’s SIU also aligns with continental efforts for shared solutions—a vision reinforced at the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa held in Cape Town earlier this year. Hosted by the SIU, the conference emphasized capacity building, technology adoption, and regional unity to combat illicit financial flows.

Why This Matters

• Corruption erodes development, breeds inequality, and undermines institutional trust in both countries—and often operates through cross-border networks.

• By pooling their investigative and technical resources, the EACC and SIU can better trace illicit funds, share forensic techniques, and coordinate complex litigations across jurisdictions.

• These joint efforts reinforce commitments to international frameworks and signal a stronger, united front for African anti-corruption governance.Summary Table

This partnership marks a serious step toward reinforcing anti-corruption systems across borders. By combining expertise and investigative firepower, Kenya and South Africa are laying the groundwork for more resilient public institutions.