African trade unions take fight against corruption to Geneva

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

African trade unionists and workers’ organisations have taken their campaign against corruption, inequality and violent conflict to the global stage, rallying in Geneva, Switzerland, to demand urgent action to address challenges they say are undermining democracy, development and social justice across the continent.

The demonstration, organised on the sidelines of the ongoing 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, ILC, of the ongoing of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together labour leaders, workers and civil society allies under the banner of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa, which warned that corruption and illicit financial flows continue to rob African nations of resources needed for development.

ITUC-Africa, General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, in a statement, after the rally, said the continent’s workers and citizens remain the biggest victims of corruption, state capture, unsustainable debt and illicit financial flows.

“The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) is today joining workers’ organisations, trade unionists and allies from across the continent in a rally on the margins of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference to demand decisive action against kleptocracy, extreme inequality and violent conflict—three interconnected challenges that continue to undermine democracy, development and social justice in Africa,” the statement read.
The organisation lamented that funds which should be invested in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and social protection are often diverted through corrupt practices, leaving millions of Africans trapped in poverty despite the continent’s abundant natural and human resources.
“Across the continent, workers and citizens continue to bear the heavy costs of corruption, illicit financial flows, IFFs, state capture and unsustainable debt. Resources that should finance schools, hospitals, social protection systems, infrastructure and decent jobs are too often diverted away from the public good,” ITUC-Africa stated.
The labour body declared that graft is directly responsible for worsening poverty and limiting opportunities for workers and their families.
“Corruption steals jobs. Corruption steals schools. Corruption steals hospitals. Corruption steals the future.
“Africa is not poor. Africa is rich in resources, talent and potential. Yet millions remain trapped in poverty because wealth is not being used to advance the wellbeing of the people,” the statement said.
To reverse the trend, the organisation called on governments across Africa to strengthen anti-corruption measures, tackle illicit financial flows, improve transparency in public institutions and implement progressive tax policies that ensure wealthy individuals and multinational corporations contribute their fair share to national development.
The Geneva rally also focused on the widening gap between the rich and the poor across Africa. According to ITUC-Africa, millions of workers continue to struggle with unemployment, low wages, insecure jobs and inadequate social protection while wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a small elite.
“We echo the call of Oxfam’s 2026 Inequality Report: the super-rich must pay their fair share. Everyone deserves dignity, decent work and social protection,” the organisation said.
Beyond economic issues, African labour leaders used the platform to express solidarity with victims of ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where violence has displaced millions and devastated communities.
The organisation called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to prioritise the protection of civilians, workers and vulnerable communities caught in the conflicts.
“African workers further stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where ongoing violence continues to destroy lives, livelihoods and communities. We call for an immediate end to the violence, the protection of civilians, workers and communities, and an end to all forms of external interference that fuel instability and conflict.”
ITUC-Africa also expressed concern over what it described as growing attacks on democratic freedoms and workers’ rights worldwide, citing findings from the recently released 2026 ITUC Global Rights Index.
According to the labour body, restrictions on workers’ rights to organise, bargain collectively and embark on industrial action are increasing in many countries, threatening democratic governance and social stability.
The organisation maintained that corruption, inequality and conflict are closely linked and warned that no society can achieve sustainable development while these challenges persist.
“These trends reinforce a simple truth: no society can build sustainable democracy while corruption flourishes, inequality widens and conflict persists. Africa’s future must be founded on peace, accountability, decent work, strong public services, social protection and shared prosperity.”
The rally concluded with a strong message to African leaders and the international community, urging them to ensure that the continent’s vast wealth benefits its people rather than a privileged few.
“The message from African workers in Geneva is simple and urgent: Africa’s wealth must benefit Africa’s people.”

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