Lagos Declaration on Anti-Corruption and Accountability

Participants at the High-Level Dialogue on Anti-Corruption and Accountability, held in Lagos on 10–11 September 2026, adopted the Lagos Declaration as a call for stronger, people-centred accountability across Africa. The dialogue was convened by Centre LSD, the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School, the Open Society Foundations and other partners.

The Declaration argues that fighting corruption requires more than establishing laws and agencies. It calls for independent institutions, transparent use of public resources and meaningful ways for citizens to demand answers from those who hold power.

Key commitments

• Protect the independence of anti-corruption institutions and the rule of law.
• Strengthen procurement, public financial management, audits and access to information to prevent corruption.
• Confront political corruption, state capture and illicit financial flows.
• Protect journalists, whistle-blowers and civic freedoms.
• Place women, young people and grassroots movements at the centre of accountability efforts.
• Develop a practical implementation framework with responsibilities, timelines and measures of progress.

The Declaration calls on governments, civil society, the media, business, philanthropy and citizens to turn these commitments into action and build a Pan-African movement for accountability.