Fighting the Corruption that Prevents Access to Public Services in Africa: Transparency International Canada hosts Conference on project funded by Global Affairs Canada

Press ReleaseConferenceISDA
Written By Angelica Hasbon

Ottawa, 20 October 2025 – Transparency International Canada invites you to a conference unveiling the milestones achieved of a multi-year, multi-country initiative across five African countries, demonstrating how innovative, community-driven approaches are transforming public services to reduce corruption and become more transparent, inclusive, and accountable.

Entitled Inclusive Service Delivery Africa (ISDA) – Lessons from the Field, the Ottawa event will bring together policymakers, researchers, and civil society leaders to explore how stronger integrity systems can help ensure equitable and inclusive access to education and healthcare for women, girls, and marginalized communities across Africa.

The ISDA project, launched in 2022, is led by Transparency International and funded by Global Affairs Canada. It has been implemented by Transparency International chapters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe with support from Transparency International Canada. 

The project seeks to address corruption-related barriers that prevent equitable access to essential public services such as health and education. Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (International Development) will deliver the keynote address.

“Corruption and discrimination are major obstacles to the achievement of sustainable and inclusive development and projects like ISDA provide a path to greater equity in service delivery,” said Susan Côté-Freeman, Chair and President of Transparency International Canada.

Findings from the Field

The ISDA project has generated new evidence on the gendered impacts of corruption in health and education, it also demonstrates broader lessons for public resource management.

  • In Madagascar, over 150 citizens - 60 per cent of them women - were trained to monitor local schools and health centres. Reports from citizen monitors led to the resolution of bribery cases in maternal health services.

  • In Rwanda, 15 single mothers successfully challenged their exclusion from a social support list after refusing to pay bribes, reclaiming their benefits with the help of Transparency International Rwanda.

  • In Ghana, 12 social auditing clubs and integrity ambassadors now monitor local budgets and service delivery, ensuring that education and healthcare spending meets community needs.

  • In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the General Education Inspectorate has expanded internal audits to safeguard students’ right to education.

  • In Zimbabwe, administrative reforms introduced at Victoria Chitepo District Hospital have strengthened accountability and improved patient access following corruption risk assessments.

Across all five countries, 893 corruption cases have been reported through Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs), with three-quarters filed by women and over a quarter successfully resolved.

“Corruption impacts us all and impedes on progress towards global development and socio-economic wellbeing. Canada partners with Transparency International to fight corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa. Together we can tackle discrimination to strengthen communities and create inclusive opportunities, particularly for those most impacted - women and girls.”

Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)

By integrating gender analysis into anti-corruption strategies, ISDA demonstrates that inclusive governance can benefit entire communities, helping ensure that resources are allocated fairly and transparently.

Event Details

 Further notes:

Media

Transparency International Canada
ti-can@transparencycanada.ca

Angelica Hasbon
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