Governance and Capacity Building summary

The Commission for Africa has identified that without progress on governance, other reforms will have limited impact. Many African countries have been blighted by the lack of accountability of African leaders and their governments towards their people. Improving skills, knowledge, access to information and participation would provide the checks and balances needed to prevent corruption and enable people to participate in good governance.

Proposed Solutions

• Major investment to improve Africa’s capacity, starting with its systems of higher education, particularly in science and technology.
• Strengthening institutions like parliaments, local authorities, trade unions, the justice system and the media.
• Money and state assets stolen by corrupt Africa leaders to be returned to the people of Africa; foreign banks to be obliged by law to inform on suspicious accounts.