Kampala: In a move that marks Tanzania’s growing role in the fight against corruption in Africa, Tanzanian Ms. Lilian William Kafiti has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of the East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA), an institution that is a key tool in coordinating the fight against corruption in East African countries.
The decision was unanimously approved by members of the institution’s 16th General Assembly held on April 24, 2026, making her one of the few Tanzanian leaders to hold a senior position in the regional institution.
Ms. Kafiti currently serves as the Chief Investigation Officer at the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Agency, where she has built a reputation for meticulous performance, professionalism and integrity in handling sensitive corruption cases.
Her victory was not a fluke, but the result of a fierce competition involving 89 candidates from member countries, including Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.
Her appointment comes at a time when EAAACA continues to strengthen its role as a platform for regional cooperation in the fight against corruption, financial crime and the misuse of public resources.
The institution was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, where Ms. Kafiti will now move for a period of six years to serve in this new position.
As a result of the appointment, she will be required to request leave from the government to officially join the EAAACA Secretariat, a move that reflects the gravity of the responsibilities she will carry in overseeing the institution’s operations.
This is a position that requires strong leadership skills, regional policy and strategy coordination, as well as integrating various anti-corruption institutions to work together more effectively.
EAAACA’s mandate includes strengthening cooperation between anti-corruption institutions in member countries, facilitating the exchange of relevant intelligence, and coordinating joint operations aimed at combating transnational financial crimes.
The institution provides training, research and technical support to member institutions to enhance their capacity to investigate and address corruption with high professionalism.
In the current context of globalization, corruption has taken on a new dimension involving international networks of illicit financial flows, which requires close regional cooperation.
Through EAAACA, member countries have been collaborating in tracking down money laundering, recovering assets obtained through illegal means, and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable according to the law.
Therefore, the position of Executive Secretary is central to the success of the institution.
Ms. Kafiti’s election gives Tanzania great respect on the international stage, while demonstrating the confidence in the ability of its professionals to manage sensitive issues of good governance.
Tanzania has been implementing various anti-corruption strategies through the Anti-Corruption Commission and other government institutions, measures that have begun to bear fruit by strengthening accountability and discipline in the use of public resources.
In recent years, Tanzania’s efforts have focused on strengthening legal systems, increasing transparency in public procurement, and using technology to monitor financial transactions.
These achievements have made the country seen as a role model in the East African region, which contributed significantly to the appointment of Ms. Kafiti to such a high position.
In farewell speeches to the outgoing Executive Secretary, EAAACA leaders stressed the importance of maintaining solidarity and increasing joint efforts to address new challenges of corruption.
They made it clear that the achievements achieved so far have been the result of strong cooperation between member states and development stakeholders, and that the new leadership should continue this spirit.
For her part, expectations are high for Ms. Kafiti to bring about positive reforms that will help further strengthen the institution and increase its effectiveness in carrying out its duties.
Her experience in investigating corruption and her understanding of regional systems are expected to be the catalyst for new successes in the fight against this enemy of development.
Overall, this appointment is not only a personal achievement for Ms. Kafiti but also a victory for Tanzania and a sign that the country continues to stand firm in the fight against corruption.
It is a move that sends a strong message that East Africa has the human resources capable of leading change and building a future of transparency, fairness and accountability for future generations.
