Côte d’Ivoire Launches Landmark Academy of Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Leadership

Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire – In a historic step toward strengthening the culture of integrity and accountability in West Africa, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, through the High Authority for Good Governance (HABG), has officially launched the Academy of Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Leadership (ABG-LAC). The launch took place during a high-level international conference held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace in Yamoussoukro from April 24 to 25, 2025.

The Academy, established as a sub-regional center of excellence, is designed to promote structured training, research, and innovation in the fight against corruption and the advancement of good governance. Supported by the Ivorian Government and developed in collaboration with regional and global partners, including the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), ABG-LAC is set to play a transformative role in equipping public servants, civil society actors, and policymakers with the skills and strategies to confront corruption in all its forms.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Mr. Zoro Bi Ballo Epiphane, President of HABG, emphasized the need for a strategic and unified approach to capacity building. “This Academy represents our commitment to invest in knowledge, integrity, and regional cooperation. It will serve as a pillar for sustainable development through governance that works for the people.”

Among the high-level attendees was Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and President of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), who praised the initiative as a “beacon of institutional leadership and collaborative innovation.” In his address, Mr. Olukoyede highlighted recent milestones achieved by NACIWA, including progress toward its 7th Annual General Assembly scheduled for August 2025 in Abuja, and new efforts to strengthen the Network’s headquarters and membership base.

The conference, held under the theme “The Fight Against Corruption: The Challenges of Training and Collective Action,” featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and peer exchange sessions led by national and international experts from the African Union, OECD, UNODC, Transparency International, and academic institutions. Topics ranged from financial crime investigation to anti-corruption compliance systems, ethical leadership, and collective action mechanisms.

In a strategic continuation of the initiative, the HABG also announced the commencement of a certification training program in partnership with IACA, running from April 26 to 30, 2025. The training aims to deepen knowledge on prevention strategies and empower designated officers from each NACIWA member country with advanced anti-corruption tools and methodologies.

As the fight against corruption increasingly requires coordinated regional action, the launch of ABG-LAC has been hailed as a defining moment for governance in West Africa — one that blends visionary leadership with long-term institutional investment.

Click here for the Yamoussoukro Declaration

For more information about the Academy and related programs, please contact:
HABG Côte d’Ivoire | Email: a.kouame@habg.ci | Website: www.habg.ci

Media Contact:
NACIWA Secretariat
Email: info@naciwa.org