Abstract This study examines the role of the African Union in combating corruption by analysing the legal and institutional frameworks established by the Union, particularly the Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the Advisory Board Against Corruption. It assesses the effectiveness of these mechanisms in light of the persistence of corruption in a number of African countries, identifies the main challenges constraining the implementation of continental commitments, and explores opportunities for strengthening anti-corruption efforts. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the study examines the Convention, the mechanisms of the Advisory Board, and relevant indicators and reports. It finds that, although the African Union has succeeded in establishing a legal and institutional framework for combating corruption, its effectiveness remains constrained by a gap between the ratification of continental commitments and their implementation at the national level, as well as disparities in institutional capacity, weaknesses in monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and limited political will in some countries. At the same time, improvements recorded in several countries, growing cooperation with regional economic communities, and increased attention to asset recovery and illicit financial flows provide opportunities to strengthen the continental anti-corruption framework. The study concludes that narrowing the gap between legal frameworks and effective implementation remains critical to enhancing the African Union’s role in combating corruption. Keywords: African Union, corruption, Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, Advisory Board Against Corruption, governance, accountability.
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