Another important area of work for TI in the Africa region has been the promotion of international anti-corruption instruments, namely the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and related offences and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

The AU Convention was adopted by African Heads of State and Government in Maputo, Mozambique in July 2003. It provides a solid foundation for co-operation and collaboration among national governments, sub-regional organisations and institutions, civil society organisations, journalists and others. The Convention is expected also to assist African leaders in living up to their promises of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). TI's participation made an important contribution to the drafting and finalisation of the Convention. The document has been signed by 36 counties; as of December 2005 however, only 10 of these countries have ratified and the convention can only enter into force once the 15th ratification has been deposited. TI, though its International Secretariat and National Chapters, continues to lobby for further ratifications among signatory states. TI has also developed the brochure “Understanding the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and related Offences” as an advocacy tool for National Chapters and other anti-corruption activists across Africa. The AU Convention brochure can be found on our resources and publications page.

• For the latest list of countries to have signed and ratified the AU Convention, click on the following link:
  AU_Convention Table.doc 72.50 kB
• For more information on the UNCAC, please visit TI global priorities page on international anti-corruption conventions