The absence of a whole-of-government approach with policy and strategy to coordinate and build synergies among various players has challenged anti-corruption efforts in the country. 

Key players in the area of integrity and anti-corruption, such as the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) and its regional counterparts, the Federal Attorney General, the federal police, have been using conventional approaches in discharging their duties.

The absence of regular surveys and studies meant that interventions in the field were not supported with the needed information. Therefore specialists were unable to fully understand the nature and extent of corruption in Ethiopia and inform the range of interventions to be considered by the Government and non-government organizations.  

The Governance and Democratic Participation Programme's (GDPP) provided FEACC with a range of policy and institutional support focused on enhancing transparent and accountable systems of governance and to strengthening national efforts in the fight against corruption. 

The programme has also been promoting evidence-based interventions to ensure greater impact in the anti-corruption work being carried out both at the federal and regional level. 

Upon the request by FEACC, the GDPP organized a study mission to Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in November 2019 to help Ethiopia learn from the country's anti-corruption lessons and best practices. 

At the time of the visit, Ethiopia was in the middle of political reform with anti-corruption and integrity prioritized as a key component of the reform process.

The Ethiopian delegation comprised stakeholders drawn from high-level government bodies (FEACC, House of Peoples Representatives, Regional Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissions, Federal Attorney General, Civil Service Commission), Financial Intelligence Center and non-government (Transparency International - Ethiopia Chapter). 

The visit enabled the Ethiopian delegation representing different groups to come together and learn how Indonesia is implementing its anti-corruption initiatives at a strategic and operational level. 

Key takeaways for the Ethiopian delegation included the need to have a national strategy that focuses on preventing corruption. A national team that was also tasked with overseeing the implementation of a focused, measurable and timebound strategy that would have demonstrable impact. 

Mr Ayeligne Mulualem, former Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) noted that “A national strategy that focuses on prevention and a national team that oversees the implementation of an action plan that is focused, measurable and impactful is important lessons to be taken to the home country”.

The delegation also learnt about the importance of having an evidence-based anti-corruption strategy so that interventions would be informed by regular studies. 

Mr Berhanu Tsegaye, former Federal Attorney General and a member of the delegation underlined the importance of cross-agency cooperation and collaboration in the fight against corruption, stressing that “developing a national anti-corruption policy and strategy should be a top priority of FEACC and other players in the field and national efforts should be geared towards that direction”.

Immediately after the mission, with members of the delegation serving as a reference group, FEACC in collaboration with GDPP, conducted a national corruption perception survey and developed a national anti-corruption policy and strategy for Ethiopia. 

The policy and strategy are expected to serve as a common policy platform for all government and non-government stakeholders to engage in this field. The third survey is also expected to provide useful information about corruption dynamics, intensity and trends regarding corruption occurring in the country. 

Another positive outcome of the study visit was that the mission created greater awareness on the importance and value of strong inter-agency coordination as well as better interface and partnerships with non-governmental organizations and other anti-corruption specialist entities. 

The expanded partnership is helping to enrich the content of the two major documents that are now under development – the national anti-corruption policy and strategy, as well as the third nation-wide survey. 

Read more about the governance programme for Ethiopia