By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called for urgent action against kleptocracy, inequality and violent conflicts, which it says continue to undermine democracy, development and social justice across Africa.
The regional labour body made the call during a rally in Geneva, Switzerland. The rally, held on the margins of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), brought together trade unionists, workers’ organisations and allies from across the continent to demand greater accountability from African leaders and institutions.
In a statement issued during the event, ITUC-Africa General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie said workers and ordinary citizens continue to bear the consequences of corruption, illicit financial flows, state capture and mounting debt burdens, which divert resources away from critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and job creation.
According to the organisation, billions of dollars that could be invested in public services and economic development are lost annually through corruption and illicit financial flows, worsening poverty and limiting opportunities for millions of Africans.
“Corruption steals jobs. Corruption steals schools. Corruption steals hospitals. Corruption steals the future,” the labour body declared.
ITUC-Africa argued that Africa is not lacking in resources but faces challenges in ensuring that wealth generated on the continent is used to improve the lives of its people.
It therefore called for stronger anti-corruption measures, greater transparency and accountability in governance, and policies aimed at recovering and protecting public resources.
The organisation also urged governments to implement progressive taxation systems, including fair taxation of high-net-worth individuals and multinational corporations, to support public services and social protection programmes.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the rally highlighted growing concerns over inequality across Africa, with workers expressing frustration that while wealth continues to concentrate among a small elite, millions struggle with unemployment, low wages, insecure jobs and inadequate social safety nets.
Citing concerns raised in Oxfam’s 2026 Inequality Report, participants called for economic policies that prioritise workers, reduce income disparities and expand access to decent work and social protection.
The rally also drew attention to ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where violence continues to claim lives, displace communities and disrupt livelihoods.
ITUC-Africa expressed solidarity with affected populations and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and workers, and efforts to address the underlying causes of instability.
The labour organisation further referenced findings from the 2026 ITUC Global Rights Index, which reported increasing restrictions on workers’ rights and democratic freedoms in many parts of the world.
According to ITUC-Africa, attacks on the rights of workers to organise, bargain collectively and strike threaten democratic governance and social progress.
The organisation maintained that sustainable democracy cannot thrive where corruption flourishes, inequality widens and conflicts persist.
It called on African governments, regional institutions and the international community to work towards building societies founded on peace, accountability, decent work, strong public services and shared prosperity.
