Access to the database requires a registered account. Signing up is free and takes less than a minute. A free account gives you full search access to case records for a limited trial period, after which you will need to upgrade to a paid subscription to continue. Paid subscribers also get access to document downloads, data exports, and priority case alerts.

Yes. When you create a free account, you automatically receive access to the full case search functionality for a limited trial period. During this period you can search and filter all case records, view case details, and explore laws and judgements. Once the trial expires, a paid subscription is required to maintain access. You can upgrade at any time from your account dashboard.

Our research team collects case data from publicly available court records, government gazettes, mutual legal assistance disclosures, media reports, and partner organisations. Each record is reviewed and verified before publication. We update existing records as new information becomes available. If you spot an error or have additional information about a case, please use the Contact form to inform our team.

Asset recovery is a multi-step process. The stages tracked in OARD follow the standard recovery lifecycle:

1. Identification — assets linked to corruption are identified
2. Investigation — formal investigation is opened
3. Prosecution — legal proceedings are commenced
4. Conviction — a court finding is made against the defendant
5. Confiscation/Forfeiture — assets are legally transferred to the state
6. Return/Repatriation — assets are returned to the country or community of origin

Each case in OARD shows which stage has been reached.

The World Bank's Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative only captures cases in which the World Bank provided direct technical assistance. OARD covers all documented asset recovery cases in Africa — regardless of which international partner, if any, was involved. OARD is therefore more comprehensive in its African coverage and is purpose-built for the continent, not adapted from a global tool.

The UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is the primary international legal instrument governing the fight against corruption, signed by 190 countries including all African Union member states. Chapter V of UNCAC specifically addresses asset recovery and requires State Parties to cooperate in tracing, freezing, and returning stolen assets. OARD supports monitoring of UNCAC implementation in Africa by providing structured, verifiable case-level data that civil society, review bodies, and governments can rely upon.

The Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Principles on Transparent and Accountable Management of Returned Assets set out best-practice standards for how States should manage assets once they have been returned. Principle 4 specifically requires that information about returned assets be made publicly available. OARD directly supports this principle by publishing return data openly and in an accessible format.

Use the Contact form on our Contact page to submit case information, corrections, or additions. Please include as much detail as possible: the country, the parties involved, relevant court or government references, and any publicly available documents. Our research team will review all submissions.

Data export and document download functionality is available to paid subscribers only. Free trial accounts can search and view case records but cannot download documents or export data. To upgrade, visit the Subscriptions page from your account dashboard after signing in.

Yes. Your account information is stored securely and is never sold or shared with third parties. Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms. All data is transmitted over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

Click the Sign Up button in the top navigation bar. Complete the registration form with your name, email address, and a secure password. Your account will be created immediately. Some features may require identity verification for access to sensitive data.

On the Sign In page, click Forgot password? and enter your registered email address. You will receive a password reset link within a few minutes. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder or contact our support team.

Yes. Once signed in, navigate to your Profile page from the top navigation dropdown to update your name, email, password, and contact details at any time.

OARD is developed and maintained by The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development. Our research and technology teams are responsible for data collection, verification, platform development, and ongoing updates. The database is supported by partner organisations committed to anti-corruption and governance reform across Africa.