A recent Interpol meeting in Angola’s capital, Luanda, focused on boosting information sharing.
Over 160 top police officials from Africa and other places attended. They talked about fighting various crimes like terrorism and illegal wildlife trade.
Monique Nsanzabaganwa, a leader from the African Union, spoke at the meeting. She said Africa loses about $140 billion a year due to corruption and illegal money activities.
The meeting highlighted a rise in terrorism in Africa, as per a 2022 report by Interpol. Attendees decided to use new technology to better track and stop terrorists.
Interpol is big in Africa. It has four regional offices there. Almost 30% of all countries in Interpol are from Africa. This shows how important Africa is in fighting crime worldwide.
Background
The annual loss to corruption is a pressing issue across the globe, affecting continents to varying degrees.
Asia reportedly faces the most substantial burden, with estimates suggesting up to $500 billion lost each year to corruption.
Africa follows with significant losses amounting to around $140 billion annually. South America also grapples with this issue, losing an estimated $100 billion each year.
North America and Europe fare relatively better, although they are not immune to the problem.
Both continents see estimated losses of approximately $50 billion per year due to corruption.
Australia experiences a much lower impact, with estimates putting the annual loss at around $5 billion.
These figures underscore the gravity of the corruption issue in Africa while highlighting that it is a global concern that affects regions differently.
Various factors, including the size of the economy and the population, can influence these numbers.
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