Luanda, Angola – November 20, 2025 – Friends of Angola (FoA), in collaboration with Opening Central Africa (OCA), leading civil society organizations dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability, are proud to announce their co-organized special side event at the 11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Titled “Beneficial ownership : A tool for transparency in Africa,” the event will spotlight innovative strategies to combat corruption and illicit financial flows in the region.
Scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 13:00 to 13:50 (Qatar time) in Doha, Qatar, this hybrid session will bring together government officials, civil society leaders, investigative journalists, private sector representatives, and international experts. Aligned with key UNCAC priorities—including asset recovery (Chapter V), preventive measures (Chapter II), and international cooperation (Chapter IV)—the event addresses the urgent challenges posed by opaque ownership structures that enable kleptocracy and democratic backsliding in Central Africa.
Participants will explore successful case studies, digital tools for asset tracing, and governance trends drawn from sources like the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI). The session aims to foster regional collaboration and culminate in actionable recommendations such as legislative templates for beneficial ownership registers and protocols for cross-border information sharing.
“We are excited to convene this vital dialogue at CoSP11, where beneficial ownership transparency can emerge as a powerful tool for reclaiming stolen assets and empowering citizens,” said Florindo Chivucute, Executive Director of Friends of Angola. “By uniting diverse stakeholders, we can drive meaningful reforms that strengthen anti-corruption efforts across Central Africa.”
Andrea Ngombet, Executive President of Opening Central Africa, added: “This event underscores the role of civil society in exposing hidden networks and advocating for accountability. Through innovative approaches like open-data platforms and public-private partnerships, we can turn transparency into a shared regional solution.”
The 50-minute event features a diverse panel, interactive Q&A, and the launch of the Central Africa Beneficial Ownership Transparency Network (CABOT-Net). It will be conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation into French, Portuguese, and Spanish for virtual participants via Zoom, ensuring inclusivity and broad engagement.
Interested parties can join in-person (limited to 80 spots) or virtually. For more details or to register, visit https://bit.ly/3KeRkWD.
About Friends of Angola (FoA):
Friends of Angola is a non-profit organization based in Luanda that supports Angolan civil society, raises awareness of human rights, and advocates for transparent governance. FoA works to empower citizens and promote democratic progress in Angola and beyond.
About Opening Central Africa (OCA):
Opening Central Africa is a grassroots initiative focused on investigative storytelling, anti-corruption advocacy, and community engagement in Central Africa. OCA aims to expose illicit practices and foster regional cooperation for a more accountable future.
