# Loophole Masters: How Enablers Facilitate Illicit Financial Flows from Africa URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/loophole-masters Type: Publication or report Published: 2023-12-05 Updated: 2025-01-21 --- 05 December 2023 For too long, professionals and businesses operating in the non-financial sector have escaped both public and regulatory scrutiny. Corrupt officials from around the world have taken advantage of this, employing lawyers, company formation agents, real estate agents and notaries at various stages of the process of hiding, laundering and investing their illicit gains. A lack of scrutiny has also meant that policy-makers have largely been unaware of the specific risks posed by these professionals and businesses. We have undertaken an extensive review of publicly available evidence to better examine the role of such intermediaries in facilitating illicit financial flows out of Africa, producing the first study of this kind. We collected and analysed 78 cases covering 33 African countries. These are cases which implicate politically exposed persons from across the continent in siphoning off proceeds of corruption abroad or parking their wealth offshore. The report identifies patterns and trends in the case studies that illustrate the services provided, the type and location of the enablers. We also identify the key jurisdictions within and outside of Africa that play a significant role in facilitating illicit financial outflows from the continent. Our analysis identifies specific enabling behaviours and high-risk services, while also revealing policy loopholes and regulatory blind spots that require decision-makers’ attention. See also: - Feature article: [How enablers facilitate illicit financial flows: Evidence from Africa](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/how-enablers-facilitate-illicit-financial-flows-from-africa) ### Related publications ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Connecting the Dots: How financial intelligence units expose corrupt money flows and how they could do more](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/connecting-the-dots) Publication • 24 June 2026 Financial intelligence units can play a key role in uncovering corruption, but only if they have the powers, resources and access to information they need. ## [Accelerating Action Against Criminal and Corrupt Wealth: Recommendations for the London Illicit Finance Summit](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/recommendations-london-illicit-finance-summit) Publication • 28 May 2026 This paper sets out recommendations on how governments participating in the UK Illicit Finance Summit can deliver credible and ambitious outcomes. ## [Closing the Gaps: Detecting and investigating corrupt money flows in the Middle East and North Africa](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/closing-the-gaps-middle-east-and-north-africa) Publication • 13 May 2026 Corruption and illicit financial flows remain serious and ongoing challenges across the Middle East and North Africa. ## Priorities - [Dirty money](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/dirty-money) ## Regions - [Global](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/global) - [Sub-Saharan Africa](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/sub-saharan-africa) ## Projects - [Rallying efforts to accelerate progress – Africa inequalities initiative (REAP)](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/reap-rallying-efforts-accelerate-progress-africa-inequalities) ![Report cover with an image that shows a man standing in front of a maze and looking for an easy exit](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2023-Report-cover-Loophole-Masters-English.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2023-Report-Loophole-Masters-English.pdf)