Successful prosecution of corruption is central to the effectiveness of any society’s integrity system. By creating accountability, it acts as a deterrent to corruption and supports prevention efforts. It inspires confidence among anti-corruption stakeholders. It also assures citizens that corruption does not go unpunished, even when the wrongdoers have power and influence.
Many African countries have taken special measures to strengthen the prosecution of corruption, including by creating specialised courts to hear and determine only corruption cases, and do so promptly and with greater efficiency. Despite these efforts, there is often a lack of comprehensive, analysed, and easily accessible information on high‑level corruption cases prosecuted in the courts. This gap in information hinders the assessment of the effectiveness of anti‑corruption efforts and hampers reforms. It also limits the ability of stakeholders to hold those making decisions about anti-corruption in justice systems accountable.
This web‑based database compiles high‑level corruption cases prosecuted in 11 countries across Africa and allows anti‑corruption stakeholders to access key details of the cases in one place. It also provides an analysis of the cases that enables stakeholders to explore relevant themes and consider patterns and trends in the investigation and prosecution of corruption‑related crimes in their countries of interest.
THE TYPE OF CORRUPTION captured
SICEA meticulously records diverse acts of corruption. Explore the classifications to understand the methods, mechanisms, and scope of offenses documented in our extensive database.
Abuse of functions (including abuse of office, nepotism, patronage, cronyism, etc.)
The performance of or failure to perform an act, in violation of laws, by a public official in the discharge of his or her functions, for the purpose of obtaining an undue advantage for himself or herself or for another person or entity.
(Ref. s.17 UNCAC)
Asset recovery
The legal process of a country, government and/or its citizens to recover state resources stolen through corruption by current and past regimes, their families and political allies or foreign actors.
(Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide. See also. Chapter V UNCAC s.51-59)
Bribery & extortion
Bribery: The offering, promising, giving, accepting, or soliciting of an advantage as an inducement for an action that is illegal, unethical, or a breach of trust. Inducements can take the form of gifts, loans, fees, rewards, or other advantages (taxes, services, donations, etc.) (Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide. See also s.15 UNCAC)
Extortion: The act of using, either directly or indirectly, one’s access to a position of power or knowledge to demand unmerited cooperation or compensation while making coercive threats.
(Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide. See also s.15 UNCAC)
Embezzlement, misappropriation, or other diversion
When a person holding office in an institution, organisation, or company dishonestly and illegally appropriates, uses, or traffics the funds and goods they have been entrusted with for personal enrichment or other activities.
(Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide. See also. s.17 UNCAC)
Forgery
The act of deliberately making, altering, or using a false document with the intent to present it as genuine, typically to facilitate committing or concealing another crime.
(See also, Art 48 UNCAC)
Fraud
The offence of intentionally deceiving someone in order to gain an unfair or illegal advantage (financial, political, or otherwise). Countries consider such offences to be criminal or a violation of civil law.
(Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide. Corruptionary)
Grand corruption
Acts committed at a high level of government that distort policies or the central functioning of the state, enabling leaders to benefit at the expense of the public good.
(Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide.)
Illicit enrichment
The significant increase in the assets of a public official or any other person that he or she cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her income.
(Ref. s.1 AUCPCC, see also, s.20 UNCAC)
Influence peddling
The promise, offering, or giving to a public official or any other person, directly or indirectly, of an undue advantage in order that the person abuses their influence to obtain from a public body an undue advantage.
Or the solicitation or acceptance by a public official or any other person, directly or indirectly, of an undue advantage for himself or herself or for another person in order that the public official or the person abuses his or her real or supposed influence with a view to obtaining from a public body an undue advantage.
(Ref. s.18 UNCAC)
Money laundering
The process of concealing the origin, ownership or destination of illegally or dishonestly obtained money by hiding it within legitimate economic activities.
(Ref. Anti-corruption plain language guide. See also s.23 UNCAC and s.6 AUCPCC)
Obstruction of justice
The use of physical force, threats, intimidation, or the promise, offering, or giving of an undue advantage to induce false testimony or to interfere in the giving of testimony or the production of evidence in a proceeding in relation to the commission of offences
Or the use of physical force, threats, or intimidation to interfere with the exercise of official duties by a justice or law enforcement official in relation to the commission of offences.
(Ref. s.25 UNCAC)
(Also, SDG 16. 3 for cases related to access to justice)
Distribution of Cases
A comprehensive breakdown of corruption by case type across the SICEA database. This distribution highlights the prevalence of specific offenses, providing insight into the most common methods used to exploit public resources.
Average Duration of Cases
Justice delayed is justice denied. This timeline reveals the average duration of corruption cases from initiation to conclusion, categorized by the type of offense. Protracted proceedings often contribute to impunity.
Case Outcomes
Understanding the final judgments rendered in both criminal and civil proceedings is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the judicial system in holding corrupt actors accountable.
Sectors Affected
Corruption permeates various facets of society, but its impact is concentrated in specific sectors. This breakdown illustrates where corruption cases are most frequently reported, guiding targeted prevention efforts.
Public Administration
32 Total Cases
Justice and Law Enforcement
24 Total Cases
Financial Services
20 Total Cases
Trade and Commerce
11 Total Cases
Education
7 Total Cases
Land
5 Total Cases
Health
5 Total Cases
Infrastructure and Construction
3 Total Cases
Elections
3 Total Cases
Cooperatives
3 Total Cases
Manufacturing
2 Total Cases
Public Works
2 Total Cases
Transportation and Logistics
1 Total Cases
Water and Sanitation
1 Total Cases
Tourism and Hospitality
1 Total Cases
Energy
1 Total Cases
Telecommunications
1 Total Cases
Environment and Natural Resources
1 Total Cases
Gambling and Betting
1 Total Cases
Extractive Industries (Mining, Oil, and Gas)
1 Total Cases
Unspecified Sector
11 Total Cases
Covers all 136 cases in the database; 125 have a named sector and the remaining 11 appear under Unspecified Sector.
Countries
Covers all 136 cases in the database, across 7 countries.
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