New UK aid programmes for regions of Africa aim to help strengthen criminal justice systems, utilise British asset recovery experts and create new centres of British expertise in major financial hubs.

The package of major new UK aid programmes aims to help bring criminals to justice and recover millions of pounds of illegal assets in developing countries, the UK’s international development secretary Penny Mordaunt has announced.

Africa focus

The package is focused on efforts in southern and eastern Africa to recover illegal money flows from crime, fraud and corruption through the courts.

It will support authorities in the region in their efforts to bring people committing financial crimes to justice by helping to identify proceeds of crime and seizing criminal property.

Capacity building

Measures include training and mentoring of law enforcements officials in southern and eastern Africa to improve criminal justice systems, tightening legislation and strengthening investigation techniques.

This aims to help the authorities build their capacity to clamp down on serious organised crime, ranging from drugs and people trafficking to wildlife poaching.

Kenya agreement

Britain last month signed a new agreement with the Kenyan government to return stolen and corrupt funds that have been moved out of Kenya and are hidden in UK banks.

All stolen funds found and returned to Kenya will be used exclusively for development projects, in sectors including education and health.