Corruption undermines development in Africa: Namibian minister

Namibia's finance minister Calle Schlettwein has said corruption will undermine Africa's achievements and developmental gains if not checked.

Schlettwein said this Saturday when he officially launched the African Governance Report IV in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The report that measures corruption and enhances an understanding of the international dimension of corrupt acts and practices was launched during the inaugural African Development Week.

The Week, hosted by the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union, lasts from on March 31 to April 5.

Schlettwein said corruption levels in Africa is rampant, especially in conflict-prone countries and those endowed with natural resources.

"Corruption does not grease the wheels of economic activity and the provision of services," he said.

The situation, he said, can worsen, considering the current mixed results in governance performance that threatens the foundation and efficacy of structural transformation.

"Corruption is a major cost and impediment to structural transformation and sustainable development in Africa as it challenges economic governance," Schlettwein said.

In order to sustainably enhance structural transformation and development, he said African policymakers and partners should focus on broader economic governance issues.

"Key interventions that enhance the credibility, legitimacy, transparency, and inclusion can go a long way in empowering vulnerable and marginalized members of society while addressing asymmetrical power-relations, combating corruption, strengthening institutions, and enhancing good economic governance," he said. Enditem