Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20 February 2025 – Corruption undermines businesses, while ethical practices deliver measurable benefits - from stronger stakeholder trust and brand reputation to operational efficiency. In Ethiopia, as in other countries, the private sector plays a critical role in combating corruption through compliance, while governments set the enabling environment.
In Ethiopia, UNODC has been working with the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) to enhance the capacity of the private sector in ethics and compliance. Under this initiative, UNODC and FEACC have been implementing a four-phase training programme targeting the private sector, designed to empower participants on anti-corruption, ethics and business integrity. To date, two sessions have been held (23 January and 20 February 2025).
The programme employs various training methods, including real-world scenarios, problem-solving activities, group exercises and take-home assignments. These methods facilitate collaboration and grasping of business integrity concepts. Key topics covered include undertaking a corruption risk assessment, defining and developing anti-corruption policies, as well as understanding Ethiopia’s legal framework on anti-corruption.
Most of the participants in this programme are representatives of financial institutions in Ethiopia. After receiving guidance on how to conduct corruption risk assessments within their organizations, they will draft concept notes on identified risks. By the end of the programme, participants will be empowered and equipped to implement anti-corruption ethics and compliance measures in their organizations, share good practices and collaborate with peers.
The next phase of the training programme will address communication of progress on business integrity and the development of action plans for the implementation of ethics and compliance programmes within their organizations.
UNODC has been actively working on business integrity in Ethiopia through the Global Action for Business Integrity project since 2021.
