African Leaders and Civil Society Adopt Lagos Declaration on Anti-Corruption and Accountability

Participants at the High-Level Dialogue on Anti-Corruption and Accountability adopted the Lagos Declaration on 11 September 2026. The two-day gathering in Lagos brought together representatives of government and anti-corruption institutions, civil society, academia, philanthropy, media, business, and women’s and youth movements from across Africa.

Convened by Centre LSD in partnership with the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School, the Open Society Foundations and other partners, the dialogue examined how Africa can respond more effectively to corruption, state capture and declining public trust.

The accompanying media briefing explains the Declaration’s central message: accountability must extend beyond the prosecution of corruption to the way power is acquired, exercised and held to account. It highlights commitments to protect independent institutions and civic space, prevent corruption through stronger systems, address illicit financial flows and support citizens—particularly women and young people—to lead accountability efforts.

Participants also committed to developing an implementation framework with clear responsibilities, timelines and indicators, alongside continued Pan-African collaboration and periodic review of progress.