Rational for Youth Engagement in Anticorruption Efforts

Corruption’s detrimental impact extends beyond isolated incidents, permeating every facet of society, including its political, economic, and social dimensions. This pervasive issue not only erodes a nation’s political integrity and economic strength but also fuels a host of pressing social challenges, including poverty and human trafficking while encroaching upon the fundamental civil liberties of its citizens. From an economic standpoint, the annual cost of corruption is staggering, estimated at approximately $1.26 trillion (United Nations n.d.). SDG 16 and subsections dealing with corruption have been implemented to help countries overcome the burden of corruption, which will indirectly improve other SDG targets, such as poverty reduction, good education, and gender equality. The chapter aims to provide a rationale for why engaging youth in Africa in anticorruption efforts is important.