Regional analysis reveals procurement fraud, bribery and payroll fraud as Africa’s most pressing concerns, driven 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, the fraud landscape in Africa is shaped by procurement fraud, bribery and corruption, and payroll fraud, all of which appear at significantly higher rates than global averages. Procurement fraud alone records 34% prevalence, yet is still widely dismissed as “operational leakage” or a cost of doing business, masking its true financial andorganisational  impact.

Drawing on responses from over 2,000 professionals and 31 roundtable discussions around the world, the study – launched during International Fraud Awareness Week – shows how weak governance, limited oversight and fragmented controls leave organisations exposed. Bribery and corruption continue to affect both public and private sectors, while mobile banking’s rapid adoption has created first-mover vulnerabilities that are being exploited by increasingly sophisticated fraud actors.

In collaboration with ACFE, IIA, CISI, ISC2, Airmic and ACi, the report introduces a new Prevalence vs Materiality matrix lens to help organisations make better decisions about allocating resources before fraud diminishes them. Through its companion Calls to Action and Thematic Typology, the report also provides new guidance on assessing what works and doesn’t – and crucially how to incorporate behavioural insights into risk governance, moving fraud prevention from compliance theatre to operational reality.  

Africa also mirrors a growing global trend of ESG-related fraud, with cases linked to abuses within procurement processes for sustainability programmes and donor-funded initiatives. These schemes often evade detection due to opaque vendor structures and weak consequence management.

Regional survey findings reveal that reporting confidence is lowest among SMEs and public-sector entities (3.79/5), reinforcing the need for leadership commitment, independent investigation channels, and visible follow-through. Respondents emphasised that speaking up often carries social and professional risks, making anonymity and leadership-led accountability essential enablers.

Key regional findings:

• Procurement fraud (34%) is the most cited risk in Africa, followed by bribery and corruption and payroll fraud.
• Africa reports significantly higher rates of bribery, corruption and payroll manipulation compared to global averages.
• Mobile banking vulnerabilities are enabling sophisticated cyber-enabled theft and identity manipulation.
• Reporting confidence is lowest in SMEs and public-sector organisations (3.79/5).
• Demand for independent investigation, leadership commitment and visible outcomes is strong across all respondent groups in Africa.
• ESG-related fraud is emerging, 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 opportunity 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, emphasising the need to embed proactive detection, strengthen accountability and align governance systems with global standards. It highlights that fraud prevention in Africa requires uniting professions, modernising oversight and ensuring that consequence management is visible, consistent and trusted across organisations.