Algeria has positioned itself at the forefront of Africa’s anti-corruption efforts as it hosts the seventh General Assembly of the Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities of Africa (AAACA) in Algiers.
The gathering, which began this week, brings together leading African institutions dedicated to transparency and good governance under the theme, “Asset Recovery: Strengthening Cooperation and the Exchange of Expertise for a Strong and United Africa Against Corruption.”
The summit focuses on the urgent need to retrieve embezzled public funds – a challenge that continues to undermine economic progress across the continent.
By prioritizing asset recovery, the meeting underscores the growing consensus among African states that reclaiming stolen wealth is essential for financing development, boosting public trust, and dismantling entrenched corruption networks.
The AAACA, a collaborative platform linking national anti-corruption bodies across Africa, serves as a forum for sharing best practices and strategies.
This year’s assembly places Algeria at the center of continental cooperation, reflecting the recognition of its recent initiatives through institutions such as the High Authority for Transparency, Prevention and the Fight against Corruption (HATPLC) and the Central Office for the Repression of Corruption (OCRC).
Algeria’s own efforts have been significant, particularly in pursuing the recovery of more than $30 billion in assets misappropriated during the Bouteflika era, including cash, real estate, and industrial holdings.
Recent agreements with Switzerland have bolstered these efforts, with Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans confirming in June 2025 his country’s commitment to assist Algeria in repatriating funds tied to high-profile figures like former ministers Abdeslam Bouchouareb and Chakib Khelil.
The assembly also highlights success stories from across the continent, notably Nigeria’s recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars looted during the Abacha regime, with over $700 million repatriated by Switzerland and $150 million pledged by France in 2023. Such cases exemplify the power of sustained international cooperation, despite the complexities and resistance often faced from global financial institutions.
As billions of African assets continue to be siphoned to tax havens annually, the resolutions from this assembly are expected to shape collective strategies for asset recovery. Delegates are working to establish shared priorities, mechanisms for monitoring national commitments, and frameworks for stronger judicial collaboration – measures seen as critical to Africa’s economic sovereignty and long-term growth.
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