Today in Nairobi, the inaugural Asset Recovery Practitioners Forum kicked off, bringing together a diverse group of anti-corruption experts, government officials, legal practitioners, and civil society leaders from all over Africa. This significant three-day event, running from April 15 to 17, 2025, is all about boosting the continent’s efforts to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) and pushing forward the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR).
Every year, IFFs rob African nations of billions of dollars—money that could be used to enhance vital areas like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This forum serves as a valuable space for key players to exchange experiences, align their strategies, and brainstorm innovative methods for asset tracing, seizure, and repatriation.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Patricia Achan, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Committee overseeing CAPAR’s implementation, emphasized the importance of working together regionally.
“This gathering is a testament to our unified commitment to reclaiming Africa’s stolen assets and ensuring they contribute to our development goals,” she stated.
Participants will dive into high-level panel discussions, technical workshops, and case study sessions that focus on legal cooperation, cross-border investigations, and the role of international frameworks in asset recovery. The forum also aims to create momentum for establishing national and regional asset recovery hubs.
The CAPAR framework, which the African Union adopted in 2020, lays out Africa’s collective approach to asset recovery and offers guiding principles for negotiations, transparency, and accountability in bringing back stolen wealth.
By uniting stakeholders from various sectors and regions, the Asset Recovery Practitioners Forum represents a crucial step toward restoring financial integrity and achieving justice for African citizens impacted by corruption and economic crimes.
