South Africa assumes leadership of Commonwealth Africa's anti-corruption body
Special Investigating Unit head, advocate Andy Mothibi is the chairperson of the Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa for the 2025–2026 term.
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South Africa has officially taken the helm of the Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) leading the regional fight against corruption.
The announcement was made during the closing session of the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa and the Annual General Meeting held in Cape Town from May 5 to 9, 2025.
The chairpersonship was handed over from Ghana to South Africa, with SIU Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, taking over as chairperson for the 2025–2026 term.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said: “On behalf of South Africa, the SIU will spearhead efforts to promote collaboration among agencies, integrate technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) into anti-corruption strategies, and uphold evidence-based enforcement throughout Commonwealth Africa.”
Kganyago added in the statement that the SIU, as the chair of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, will align the group's priorities with the association's activities.
The conference highlighted several key areas for joint action, including enhanced cooperation between state and non-state actors, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and the integration of gender-responsive strategies to address the impact of corruption on women and marginalised groups.
Delegates welcomed the establishment of the SIU Anti-Corruption and Cyber Academy, which will focus on capacity building for agencies across the Commonwealth, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African continent.
“The conference commended the diverse participation from various stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and international agencies. These contributions enriched discussions and reaffirmed the collective commitment to advancing the continent's anti-corruption agenda,” Kganyago stated.
Delegates also acknowledged the role of artificial intelligence in transforming Africa’s anti-corruption efforts and endorsed its use in improving detection, enforcement, and prevention.
In closing the conference on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi said: “Let us work together in the pursuit of an Africa free of corruption, an Africa in which there is development, in which economic growth is inclusive and sustainable, and where the potential of every African man, woman, and child is realised.”