Criminals exploit legal loopholes, borders and other avenues to conceal the proceeds of their illegal activities and evade prosecution. Meanwhile, they use their illicit proceeds to buy luxury villas or increase their power and influence. Victims of crime – including communities affected by corruption – suffer the losses.
Corruption and financial crime undermine societies, from stalling economic growth to eroding public trust. Understanding their dynamics and how to fight them effectively is vital for professionals from any sector and corner of the world.
This certificate programme with the University of Basel is designed to boost the knowledge, skills and careers of professionals who care about countering corruption.
The newsletter starts with a reflection by our Executive Director Betsy Andersen and covers highlights in late August and September 2025. It also features our latest news, blogs, other publications and current job vacancies.
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The Basel Institute’s first international postgraduate programme in anti-corruption has begun. 12 students from 11 countries across Africa, Europe and North America are taking part in the six-month course, led by Basel Institute staff and resulting in a Certificate of Advanced Studies from the University of Basel.
The course, Mastering Today’s Anti-Corruption Challenges, equips mid-career professionals with the tools, skills and networks to address corruption and governance challenges in their work.
Only a handful of states have been actively pursuing the enforcement of foreign bribery. Switzerland is one of them and its efforts to crack down on this offence is commendable.
Between 2011 and 2024, Switzerland issued 14 final judicial orders at a federal level against Swiss-linked companies that engaged in foreign bribery. In these proceedings, the companies were ordered to hand over approximately CHF 730 million (combined) in illicit profits that they had obtained through their foreign bribery schemes, and an additional CHF 30 million in fines.
Only a handful of states have been actively pursuing the enforcement of foreign bribery. Switzerland is one of them and its efforts to crack down on this offence is commendable.
Between 2011 and 2024, Switzerland issued 14 final judicial orders at a federal level against Swiss-linked companies that engaged in foreign bribery. In these proceedings, the companies were ordered to hand over approximately CHF 730 million (combined) in illicit profits that they had obtained through their foreign bribery schemes, and an additional CHF 30 million in fines.
Corruption at border points remains a pressing global issue, threatening not only border integrity but also the health, safety and security of our societies. It enables illicit trafficking, facilitates organised crime and undermines trust in public institutions.
In our Working Paper 58, Saba Kassa and Jacopo Costa examine how corruption facilitates drug trafficking through the port of Rotterdam.
Drivers, strategies and implications
This Working Paper explores the drivers and strategies of corruption as a facilitator of drug trafficking in the port of Rotterdam, with a specific focus on cocaine trafficking. Through in-depth interviews with stakeholders, a review of judicial cases and desk research, it aims to:
