ACCA warns Africa faces escalating fraud risks as procurement, bribery and payroll manipulation intensify
REGIONAL analysis shows procurement fraud, bribery and payroll fraud are Africa’s most pressing fraud concerns, fuelled by governance gaps, cultural normalisation, and the rapid expansion of mobile banking across the continent.
According to ACCA’s new report, Combatting fraud in a perfect storm, Africa’s fraud landscape is dominated by procurement fraud, bribery and corruption, and payroll fraud – all of which occur at significantly higher levels than global averages. Procurement fraud alone registers a 34% prevalence rate, yet is still widely dismissed as “operational leakage” or simply a cost of doing business, masking the true financial and organisational losses it creates.
The report draws on insights from more than 2,000 professionals and 31 global roundtables, released during International Fraud Awareness Week. It highlights how weak governance, limited oversight and fragmented internal controls continue to leave both public- and private-sector organisations dangerously exposed. Bribery and corruption remain entrenched, while the continent’s rapid adoption of mobile banking has created “first-mover vulnerabilities” that sophisticated fraud actors are increasingly exploiting.
Developed in collaboration with ACFE, IIA, CISI, ISC2, Airmic and ACi, the report introduces a new Prevalence vs Materiality matrix to help organisations make more informed decisions on how to allocate resources before fraud erodes value. Through additional Calls to Action and a Thematic Typology, the report outlines practical steps to evaluate what works – and what does not – while emphasising the importance of behavioural insights in governance. The goal is to shift fraud prevention away from “compliance theatre” and into daily operational reality.
A growing global trend is also emerging in Africa: ESG-related fraud. Cases are increasingly linked to abuses in procurement for sustainability programmes and donor-funded initiatives, often hidden behind opaque vendor structures and weak consequence management processes.
Regional survey findings indicate that reporting confidence is lowest among SMEs and public-sector entities, scoring just 3.79 out of 5. Respondents highlighted that speaking up often involves significant personal and professional risk. This underscores the need for strong leadership commitment, independent reporting channels, and visible follow-through to build trust and encourage whistleblowing.
Key regional findings include:
- Procurement fraud (34%) is the most cited risk, followed by bribery, corruption and payroll fraud.
- Africa reports significantly higher rates of bribery, corruption and payroll manipulation compared to global averages.
- Rapid mobile banking adoption is creating cyber-enabled vulnerabilities, including identity manipulation and digital theft.
- Reporting confidence is lowest in SMEs and public-sector organisations (3.79/5).
There is strong demand for independent investigations, leadership accountability and transparent outcomes.
ESG-related fraud is rising, especially in procurement and sustainability-linked spending.
“Procurement fraud and bribery have become deeply embedded in organisational processes across the continent,” said Rachael Johnson, Head of Risk Management and Corporate Governance in ACCA’s Policy and Insights team. “Africa’s rapid digital adoption presents enormous opportunities but also exposes first-mover vulnerabilities that require enhanced risk governance and more transparent reporting structures.”
“Strengthening Africa’s resilience means elevating integrity to a board-level priority,” added Jamil Ampomah, Director – Africa at ACCA. “We need clearer policies, independent investigations and leadership-driven cultures where speaking up is safe and expected. Only then can fraud be confronted before it erodes value and public trust.”
The report calls for a “collective reset” to strengthen fraud defences across Africa. It emphasises the need for proactive detection, consistent accountability and governance systems aligned with global standards. Building resilience will require uniting professions, modernising oversight mechanisms and ensuring consequence management is visible, trusted and consistently applied.
Download the full report:
Search for ACCA Combatting Fraud in a Perfect Storm on the ACCA website.
