Protecting whistleblowers: OFNAC wants to establish a culture of denunciation

In order to build an operational network of whistleblowers and to better popularize Law No. 2025-14 on the status and protection of whistleblowers, the National Office for the Fight against Fraud and Corruption (Ofnac) organized a workshop on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Dakar, to share and popularize the law for journalists and members of civil society.

According to the president of OFNAC (National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption), Moustapha Kâ, it is essential that citizens understand what a whistleblower truly is. "Not just anyone can be a whistleblower," he emphasized. Indeed, the law reserves this status for individuals who report acts of corruption within the course of their professional activities, whether in a company, government agency, or institution. "There are disclosure and reporting mechanisms that allow citizens, in the course of their professional activities, when they become aware of acts of corruption or similar practices, to bring them to the attention of the competent authorities, who are then empowered to take action," the magistrate stated. OFNAC also has a legal obligation to assist each organization in establishing its own internal reporting mechanisms.

Beyond the legal framework, this workshop aims to raise awareness of the available operational protections. “Whistleblowers benefit from a range of protections provided by law. They cannot be subjected to any sanctions. If they are employees, they cannot be dismissed, transferred, or moved. Similarly, their physical integrity must be preserved. They cannot be subjected to violence, reprisals, or threats. It is the responsibility of the National Anti-Corruption Office (OFNAC) to take the necessary operational measures to ensure that they do not suffer the consequences of their disclosure,” explained the president of OFNAC, who added that if the authorities contacted do not act within the allotted time, the whistleblower is free to make the information they have provided public.

Furthermore, OFNAC encourages stakeholders to take advantage of the financial incentive mechanisms provided by law. The law grants a reward equivalent to 10% of the amounts actually recovered following a report. "The major challenge in the fight against corruption is the availability of information. To break the pact between the briber and the bribed, a price must be put on whistleblowing," emphasized the president of OFNAC. In this regard, provisions such as exemption from prosecution for reporting before the fact or a 50% reduction in sentence are also in place for members of criminal networks who cooperate.

Furthermore, in order to prevent malicious accusations, the law specifically punishes individuals who, in bad faith, make unfounded statements with the intention of causing harm. These acts are subject to criminal penalties.