The persistence of high-profile corruption scandals and broad complicity by
public, and private actors highlight the imperativeness of an effective legal
response. The lack of implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption laws
pervade throughout West Africa, in spite of regional and international frameworks
that are supposed to tackle corruption. This study is borne out by the broader
ambition to critically analyse the applicable/legal set-ups in some West African
countries and how beefing these frameworks can increase accountability, economic
resilience and reduction in the level of corruption. It is in view of this that this
study focused on West Africa and dissected existing legal frameworks that have
been put in place to fight corruption, such as the United Nations Convention
Against Corruption UNCAC, the African Union Convention on Preventing and
Combating Corruption, and ECOWAS-specific protocols. In this regard, a
doctrinal method of study was adopted, the data obtained through the observation
of case studies of successful anti-corruption efforts and challenges in Ghana,
Nigeria, and Senegal, was analyzed through descriptive and analytical approach.
The study therefore found that there is the need for harmonized anti-corruption
laws, build institutional capacity, and sound economic policies to foster resilience.
It was recommended that there is need for strategic reforms that reinforce legal
mechanisms, regional economic stability, and adherence to global best practices
toward an improved, transparent, and resilient economy in West Africa.
Corruption Economic Resilience ECOWAS Transnational
How to Cite
Antai, G. O., & Aidonojie, P. A. (2026). Legal Mechanisms for Combating Transnational Corruption and Enhancing Economic Resilience in Selected West African Countries. Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy (The), 17(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.4314/jsdlp.v17i3.9
Godswill Owoche Antai
Paul Atagamen Aidonojie
The persistence of high-profile corruption scandals and broad complicity by
public, and private actors highlight the imperativeness of an effective legal
response. The lack of implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption laws
pervade throughout West Africa, in spite of regional and international frameworks
that are supposed to tackle corruption. This study is borne out by the broader
ambition to critically analyse the applicable/legal set-ups in some West African
countries and how beefing these frameworks can increase accountability, economic
resilience and reduction in the level of corruption. It is in view of this that this
study focused on West Africa and dissected existing legal frameworks that have
been put in place to fight corruption, such as the United Nations Convention
Against Corruption UNCAC, the African Union Convention on Preventing and
Combating Corruption, and ECOWAS-specific protocols. In this regard, a
doctrinal method of study was adopted, the data obtained through the observation
of case studies of successful anti-corruption efforts and challenges in Ghana,
Nigeria, and Senegal, was analyzed through descriptive and analytical approach.
The study therefore found that there is the need for harmonized anti-corruption
laws, build institutional capacity, and sound economic policies to foster resilience.
It was recommended that there is need for strategic reforms that reinforce legal
mechanisms, regional economic stability, and adherence to global best practices
toward an improved, transparent, and resilient economy in West Africa.