The Tanzania Integrity forum was organized under the auspices of the Rule of Law and Anti- Corruption Centre, the University of Iringa in support of the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime. Participants appreciated the role of the Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, UNODC, the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre and the UNODC Special Advocate for the fight against Corruption in promoting leadership for integrity, transparency, and accountability. Thanking the University of Iringa and ROLACC for the co-organization of the Tanzania Integrity Forum, the participants reached and agreed upon the following conclusions and recommendations:
1. Corruption is considered a major threat for development and democracy in Africa.
2. Recognizing the differences among African countries with regard to forms of corruption, levels of corruption and response to corruption, it was acknowledged that special efforts should be undertaken towards promoting political reforms, e-governance, strengthening transparency, integrity and accountability and promoting the independence and effectiveness of criminal justice institutions and anti-corruption authorities.
3. Acknowledging the key role of promoting a culture of Integrity across public and private entities in particular through education and exchange of best anti- corruption practices both within the region and internationally.
4. Special attention was paid to the gender dimensions of corruption highlighting the criminalization of sextortion in the Anti-Corruption Act of the Republic of Tanzania as best practice to be shared internationally.
5. Transparency and accountability should be enhanced through systematic big data analysis, e- governance and promotion of digitalization.
6. Based on the respective provisions of UNCAC, UNTOC and the AU Convention for Combating Corruption as well as SADC and ECOWAS anti-corruption protocols and the Arab Anti-corruption Convention it was recognized that the international cooperation is essential to ensure the appropriate and effective investigation, prosecution and adjudication of transactional corruption. The diversity of legal system and the discrepancies in legal standard require further efforts towards harmonization as per the above Conventions, and strengthening mutual trust and respect among states involved.
