By: Sylvanus Blake, Public Relations Officer, ACC
The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, has on the 15th of July 2025, been officially honoured with the “Africa’s Voice for Accountability Award’’ in recognition of his unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, transparency, and institutional reforms. The event, organized by the African Achievers Awards, was held at the United Kingdom’s House of Lords.
This recognition is not only a personal achievement but a national milestone, again acknowledging Sierra Leone’s renewed war on corruption and institutional inefficiency.
What outstandingly singles out Kaifala is his unyielding commitment to transparency, institutional reform, and justice, some of the core values that the African Achievers Award seeks to uphold.
His reforms have not gone unnoticed; Sierra Leone has steadily continued to improve her anti-corruption posture and campaign, and many observers have lauded his hands-on and ethical approach to governance.
Receiving the African Achievers Award is more than an accolade, it is a symbol of continental validation. For the People’s Commissioner, it underscores the growing recognition of Africa’s capacity for self-correction and the role of young, bold, and venturous visionary leaders in that process.
His award represents another triumph for Accountability, inspired by a young leader who ascended to office with the belief that he cannot only stimulate change but leave behind an unadulterated and iconic legacy.
As one of the continent’s youngest anti-graft leaders, Kaifala stands as a role model for African youth in leadership. This award again immortalizes the ACC’s transformation from a nominal lame watchdog to a powerful guardian of public interest.
Since his appointment in 2018 as Commissioner of the ACC, Kailafa has continued to distinguish himself as a rounded and fit-for-purpose leader, in the face of daunting challenges that plagued the national fight against corruption, which for many seemed insurmountable.
Commissioner Kaifala inherited a commission in need of re-direction and a strong and uncompromising posture in the fight against the menace of corruption. It is this posture that his leadership has continued to provide historically in the fight against graft, in a manner never seen before.
Kaifala’s tenure has transformed the ACC into a vibrant, credible, and proactive institution, relentlessly pursuing transparency and accountability, by investing astounding and audacious efforts into reforms of the anti-corruption legal framework aimed at tightening the anti-graft laws, digitalising the assets declaration regime and invoking non-compliance sanctions. These also include heightened corruption prevention drives, robust investigations and prosecutions, with an over 90% conviction rate. There is also an unprecedented recovery of over Seventy-six Billion (old) Leones (Le:76,000,000,000) of stolen public funds. To add to these, there has been extensive public awareness raising activities through social accountability events, including the ‘’Meet the People campaign’’, etc.
Francis Ben Kaifala, nicknamed the ‘People’s Commissioner’, has been the authoritative recipient of over one hundred meritorious and prestigious awards, laurels, and accolades, including the United States Anti-Corruption Champion, 2021, a global recognition. He has also received twin Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) “Under 40 years” award in 2021, a United Nations endorsed influence and MIPAD “Most Influential Africa” award 2023, a Pan-African acclaim, a double Top 100 Young Africans award in 2019 and 2024, Education Champion National Award in 2023 for fighting for Integrity in the Education Sector. There is also the Bai Bureh Lifetime Award in 2024 for national service legacy, the Medrans Media Award in 2024 for strong domestic accountability leadership. Do not also forget that he is among the few in the world who can be counted as fellows of the distinguished Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellowship (Oxford).
The African Achievers Awards (AAA), established in 2010, is one of the continent’s most prestigious platforms dedicated to recognising individuals and institutions making profound contributions to Africa’s growth. From its inaugural ceremony held in the United Kingdom House of Parliament, the AAA has grown into a global celebration of excellence, innovation, and leadership across sectors like governance, education, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and civil society.
The awards are not merely ceremonial; they reflect a vision of transformational leadership and sustainable development. Previous honorees include presidents, human rights activists, entrepreneurs, and change makers, figures whose impact has transcended borders and redefined narratives about Africa's potential.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, Commissioner Kaifala featured as a key panelist in a critical discussion, anchored on the theme ‘’Strengthening Integrity and Legal Confidence for Investment in Africa’’, a timely discussion on how anti-corruption, legal frameworks, and governance are essential in building investor trust across the continent.
The panel formed part of a broader conference agenda that brought together influential voices from policy, business, and development to explore practical strategies for unlocking Africa’s business potential.
Speaking ahead of the panel discussion, Commissioner Kaifala stated that “Investment in Africa must rest on a foundation of integrity and justice. When institutions are strong and corruption is not tolerated, trust flourishes, and economies grow.”
Francis Ben Kaifala knows what matters most for the people of Africa. He knows how integrity and development are greatly intertwined. In his homeland, as Commissioner of the ACC, he has ensured that he strengthens integrity in public life. This is why his work is recognized far across the borders of Sierra Leone.
