African-European Investigation Forum Brings Together 80 Representatives From 29 African Countries

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Press release no 6/2026
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The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) hosted the African-European Investigation Forum, held on 17–18 March 2026 in Brussels, bringing together around 80 representatives of investigative, control and anti-corruption authorities from across Africa to discuss best practices and exchange operational experience.

Participants from 29 African countries met with experts from OLAF to strengthen cooperation in the fight against fraud affecting public funds and against illicit trade. By bringing together partners from different regions and institutions, the forum provided a platform to reinforce trust and develop direct contacts that are essential for fast and effective cooperation in complex cross-border cases.

The event builds on the cooperation framework launched through the format originally established as the Pilot Group, now the African-European Investigation Forum. It was created to facilitate collaboration between OLAF and African national authorities, strengthen EU-Africa partnerships, and promote cooperation between African countries and OLAF in investigations concerning EU money .

The forum focused on practical case examples demonstrating how closer cooperation can help detect and stop fraud schemes affecting both European and African partners. Discussions covered investigations into fraud schemes affecting expenditure, and fraud schemes affecting customs. On the first day, the forum discussed the issue of contractual irregularities and procurement fraud, which are particularly relevant in the context of EU-funded projects and development programmes. The European Union provides significant financial support to partner countries in Africa, making strong control systems and effective investigations essential to ensure that funds reach their intended beneficiaries. On the second day, the forum discussed in particular the illicit trafficking of cigarettes and the illegal shipment of waste and medicines — areas where fraudsters often operate across states and continents.

The African-European Investigation Forum confirmed the shared commitment of European and African authorities to turn cooperation into concrete action, ensuring better protection of public funds, stronger enforcement against illicit trade, and greater security for citizens on both continents. Exchange of information and intelligence, mutual training, and mutual support in detection and investigations were identified as the best way forward, also to build trust.

OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop wrongdoings related to EU funds.

OLAF fulfils its mission by:

• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;

• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.
  In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:

• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;

• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;

• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.
  Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

For further details:

Pierluigi CATERINO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335
Email: olaf-media

ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

Details

Publication date 18 March 2026 Author European Anti-Fraud Office News type
- OLAF press release
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