NURU: Political Finance Transparency in African Countries

Building up on the success of the research project CRINIS that was carried out in eight Latin American countries to measure transparency in political finance and better understand the origins of political corruption, Transparency International is currently planning a three-year project to extend research on political corruption to African countries. The original methodology has been reviewed in a participatory process involving experts in political finance from all over the continent to take in to account the specific African context, such as the high prevalence of a cash economy and in-kind donations or the used of mobile phones for fundraising purposes. This adapted methodology was named NURU, the Swahili word for “ray of light” - reflecting its roots in CRINIS which means the same in Latin.

Over the years, Transparency International’s research has consistently shown that the political sphere is perceived among the most corrupt sectors of society. Political finance, understood as the use of resources for funding political organizations and electoral campaigns is thus generally viewed with suspicion although at the same time being a necessity for democracy. In most African countries, political corruption diverts resources from sectors providing basic social services, thus further aggravating the livelihoods of already disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

NURU aims at establishing a regional benchmark for political finance transparency for political parties and electoral institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to thorough research on the state of political finance in these African countries, the programme introduces a component aimed at empowering citizens to translate these findings into active advocacy and monitoring of political processes, including the work of statutory oversight committees. Thus, the programme aims to contribute to building external pressures on political parties and electoral institutions to take the necessary action to improve the legal framework and practise in their countries, additionally increased by making the data available for reports on anti-corruption conventions.

For further information please contact Patrick Berg, the NURU Programme Coordinator.