Illicit Financial Outflows from Africa Crippling Continent’s Development – UN
New York, Feb 6 2014 - United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and former South African President Thabo
Mbeki today stressed the need for global efforts to address the problem of illicit financial flows from Africa, which
have crippled the continent’s development over the last few decades.
It is estimated that Africa loses over $50 billion a year in illicit financial flows, far exceeding the amount of
official development assistance the continent receives.
Addressing the opening session of the High-level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, held at UN Headquarters,
Mr. Eliasson said the $50 billion in losses is a “staggering” figure that represents damage to individuals and Africa’s development and
governance agenda as a whole.
“If we can stop Africa from losing resources in illicit outflows, then these funds can be directed to meeting the needs
of the continent’s people and allowing them to build a better future,” he stated.
The High-level Panel, established by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union (AU), was
inaugurated in February 2012 to address the debilitating problem of the illicit financial flows from continent. It is
chaired by Mr. Mbeki and composed of nine other distinguished personalities from within and outside Africa.
Mr. Mbeki told a news conference after the session that the money lost each year is capital which is “generated within
the continent, belongs within the continent, but then leaves by these illicit means.”
About two thirds of the illicit outflows originate from the activities of multinational corporations, while about 30 per
cent or so arise from “straightforward criminal activity,” including narcotics and human trafficking, as well as corrupt
practices.
As for where the money is going once it leaves the continent, Mr. Mbeki said the receiving countries are the developed
countries as well as the tax havens.
“We’ve got to try and understand this matter of this illicit capital outflows out of the continent, both from the point
of view of we, the exporting continent, and then the receiving countries so that our recommendations will have to
address both ends of this.”
The Panel is currently in the United States to meet with representatives of the US Government, private sector, academia
civil society, and multilateral institutions to discuss the issue of illicit financial flows.
It is expected to submit its final report by June this year. The report will include observations about the problem, as
well as detailed proposals on how both the continent and the rest of the world can respond.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS