Main points

• During the last twenty years, about a dozen regional networks of anti-corruption authorities have been set up and continue to be more or less active.
• Capacity building, cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery, and legal harmonisation are the most common goals of the regional networks.
• The question of the networks’ usefulness is difficult to answer, as it has been very challenging to obtain information about them online and through a survey.
• Networks that have a permanent secretariat, with support from a main donor or membership fees, seem to be more sustainable. The most stable networks appear to be those that are closely linked to and/or funded by a larger regional or international organisation.
• Anti-corruption authorities and their networks should be inspired by the examples set by other accountability institutions, whose global organisation, standardisation, accreditation, and peer review have helped strengthen their independence and performance.