Morocco’s “Multidimensional” Approach to Corruption Indicators Highlighted in New York

Speaking at the conference, held from December 2 to 4 at UN Headquarters, Mohamed Benalilou, President of the National Authority for Probity, Prevention and the Fight Against Corruption (INPPLC), emphasized that Morocco has developed a “sophisticated methodological approach” that considers indicators not as a final product, but as “tools for reflection” and levers for public policy.

Adopting a “participatory methodology,” Benalilou explained, the Kingdom has developed a “multidimensional” national approach based on scientific listening – through field surveys – the establishment of a barometer of trust in institutions, structural analysis via sectoral risk mapping, and the combination of quantitative data and qualitative analyses.

In terms of methodology, the INPPLC recommends establishing partnerships with specialized statistical and research institutions to guarantee the scientific rigor of the results, the relevance of the indicators, and the reliability of the statistical models adopted, Benalilou said at this conference co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA).

The conference brings together policymakers, experts, academics, and civil society actors to exchange experiences, best practices, and innovations in measuring corruption and evaluating the effectiveness of anti-corruption policies.

The president of the INPPLC also emphasized the importance of international cooperation as a “key pillar” in the fight against corruption.

“The development of comprehensive national indicators cannot be an isolated achievement, nor can it be imposed as a finished product,” he stated, adding that it must be “built through scientific negotiation and a systematic approach that transforms the indicator into a common language for dialogue between systems, and not just between reports.”

Benalilou also asserted that artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the ability to detect signals from open sources or social media platforms are now “essential tools for anticipating risks and understanding corruption patterns.” Anti-corruption agencies, he continued, are thus called upon not only to develop measurement tools, but also to transform them into truly autonomous statistical production systems.

Stressing that this conference represents an opportunity to “restore confidence in indicators,” Benalilou advocated for the development of a “collective roadmap that makes measurement a tool for transformation, not just a tool for proof.

Editorial team/le7tv