Defining, estimating and disseminating statistics on illicit financial flows in Africa

15 March 2018

​During the latest United Nations Statistical Commission in New York, the Permanent Missions of Nigeria and Norway to the United Nations, UNODC and UNCTAD have organized a side-Event on Measuring Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), Thursday, 8 March 2018.

UNCTAD-UNECA and UNODC present their new joint project on the measurement of illicit financial flows (IFFs) at a side event to the UN Statistical Commission in New York. The event was chaired by His Excellency, Ambassador Tore Hattrem of Norway. Ms. Angela Me (UNODC) detailed the context to the project, noting that UNODC and UNCTAD are joint custodians of SDG indicator 16.4.1 dealing with IFFs. Mr. Enrico Bisogno (UNODC) explained the overall project outline and the differences between illicit and illegal flows and outlined some of the statistical challenges.

 

Mr. Steve MacFeely (UNCTAD) outlined the broad objectives and key components of the project, the respective institutional roles, the participating countries and some anticipated challenges. Dr. Yemi Kale, Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics in Nigeria, complemented these talks by outlining some work they have been undertaking with regard to measuring IFFs. After an active discussion with many questions, the session was closed by His Excellency Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Ambassador of Nigeria who stressed the importance of this development work for countries all over the world.