“Bold Initiatives Are Being Undertaken At Accelerating Digital Transformation”

How critical is the use of artificial intelligence in the fight against corruption? Very critical! Artificial Intelligence like many other information and communication technologies are effective enablers. The added advantage of AI is its problem-solving capability and the ability to learn. AI is therefore critical in effective decisionmaking. If an AI system designed to fight corruption is deployed, then an anti-corruption agency like CONAC would have an added layer of analysis and support that can be critical in prevention, detection and prosecution of cases of corruption because AI has the potential to spot differences and patterns within a given dataset capable of revealing or dismissing cases of suspected corruption that a simple human endeavour may not. As you can see, for the fight against corruption to be efficient, you need a trustworthy dataset data, analytical and learning capabilities often embedded in an AI model or algorithm. Information and by extension knowledge, are absolutely critical in problemsolving and the fight against corruption is not an exception. What are the different areas in which AI can be used to fight corruption? Two main areas are fundamental; data and an AI model. The role of an anti-corruption agency is broadly to prevent, detect, disrupt, analyse, document and prosecute cases of corruption. AI is very essential across the entire anti-corruption value chain. On the data front, open data and personal data protection are critical. The government through the intermediary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in collaboration with all stakeholders have elaborated, the Parliament has debated and validated, and the Head of State has promulgated into law important legislation on personal data protection and the Charter of Child Protection online. The draft bill on open data is receiving necessary attention at the highest level of government. With regards to an AI model, the Ministry has elaborated an AI strategic development plan which is also receiving attention at the level of government. Once this plan would have been validated by the competent institutions and the necessary legislation passed, it would unbolt the way for CONAC to develop and implement an AI model and system that is capable of enhancing its effectiveness as an anti-corruption agency. The AI model to be developed would consist of operationalising all legal instruments relating to anti-corruption as well as the putting into place of the necessary infrastructure for effective exploitation within the entire anti-corruption value chain. So, what does the anti-corruption agency need? As indicated earlier, the anti-corruption agency would need to have access to structured data pulled from individuals, businesses, and the government within an institutional framework that is embedded in legality. Next, the agency would need to build and operate and AI system that is effective across its entire operation. Staff training and skills development at the anti-corruption agency would be the final ingredient in the mix of using AI to fight corruption. What are the stakes for Cameroon hosting such a conference? This conference is organised under the umbrella of the Commonwealth of nations. This is not only a diplomatic victory for Cameroon, but it is also telling of the giant strides that our country has taken towards digitalisation anchored at the highest level of the State. From May 2026 to May 2027, CONAC thus Cameroon, will be the chair of the Commonwealth Conference for Heads of Anti- Corruption Agencies in Africa which is part of the global Commonwealth family and within this context, Cameroon has the responsibility to tease together an AI strategy that is effective in a globalised world while showcasing our advances in the development of a digital economy. The need to have joint investments in AI is critical and Cameroon will be leading the debates in this space. The spotlight is on Cameroon, and it is critical that by the end of the Chairmanship of Cameroon, we should have significantly advanced in our AI journey and through international cooperation push for intelligence sharing among member countries to help track criminals that may want to move across different countries of the grouping. The conference has wider objectives ...