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Journal of Public Administration (JOPA)

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ISSN : 2
Has It Hit Us Harder? A Literature Review of Illicit Financial Flows on Africa's Development

Author: Sphamandla L Nkosi, Owethu J Tutu, Nirmala Gopal and Mandlenkosi R Mphatheni

Affiliation: 1University of KwaZulu-Natal 2University of Limpopo

Source: Journal of Public Administration, 2024-03-28 13:27:46

Accreditation: Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) L



Abstract: Has It Hit Us Harder? A Literature Review of Illicit Financial Flows on Africa's Development

Illicit financial flows have existed since time immemorial; however, for the African continent, this crime became more salient from the 1950s when African states began gaining independence. This period was coupled with the urgent need for most, if not all, African states to drive for inclusive development that would enable native Africans to address all the inequalities born from the imperial and colonial periods. It is the drive for this inclusive development that unwittingly allowed an opportunity for government authorities and their cronies to embezzle public funds for self-enrichment. This phenomenon of illicit financial flows embedded itself in Africa to weaken state and continental institutions. It further undermined the noble efforts to develop the African continent. Despite efforts employed to root out this nefarious crime, monies that leave the continent grow yearly, which is an indication that mechanisms in place tend to be