Africa: The cost of corruption

Corruption costs African countries an estimated 25% of its combined national income, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said - some $148bn a year. The outgoing leader of the African Union called the problem "a preventable loss" and said that industries such as oil, gas and minerals were worst hit. The popular 'paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty' is a daily experience in many African countries rich in oil, gas and minerals, the president said. "The majority of citizens in these countries still lack basic health and educational facilities."