The Director of Public Prosecutions of Kenya and President of the Africa Prosecutors’ Association (APA), Renson Ingonga, today officiated the inauguration of the Association’s permanent headquarters in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, aimed at strengthening of prosecutorial cooperation across the African continent. Addressing delegates, prosecutors, and representatives from member states during the ceremony,
DPP Ingonga described the inauguration as more than a symbolic event, saying it represented a defining institutional milestone in the history of the Association. He noted that the establishment of a permanent headquarters gives APA a recognized centre of coordination and a renewed foundation upon which a stronger, more responsive and united prosecutorial community for Africa can be built. According to the APA President, the new headquarters will serve as the focal point for collaboration, communication, and implementation of the Association’s programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing the administration of justice across the continent.
The DPP expressed profound gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting the headquarters and for the warm hospitality extended to delegates. He particularly commended Hon. Hicham Balaoui, the APA Secretary General and the King’s Prosecutor General, for his leadership and commitment to the ideals of the Association. He noted that Balaoui’s stewardship would be instrumental in ensuring that the headquarters becomes a vibrant centre of cooperation and service to member states.
The APA President also lauded the Public Prosecution Office of the Kingdom of Morocco for embracing the responsibility of hosting the headquarters, describing the gesture as a reflection of Morocco’s commitment to judicial cooperation, institutional strengthening, and the pursuit of justice across Africa. He further acknowledged the efforts of the APA Executive Committee and member states, whose contributions, participation, and unwavering support made the realization of the headquarters possible. He emphasized that the achievement was the result of collective sacrifice, consultation, and a shared commitment to advancing prosecutorial excellence across the continent. Speaking on the evolving nature of crime, the DPP observed that prosecutors today face increasingly complex challenges arising from organized, transnational and technology-driven criminal activities. He noted that criminal networks continue to exploit jurisdictional gaps, move illicit proceeds across borders, and utilize digital platforms to conceal their activities.
In response to these emerging threats, he called for stronger collaboration among prosecution authorities, emphasizing the need to enhance mutual legal assistance, extradition processes, asset recovery mechanisms, cybercrime response, digital evidence management, and cross-border investigative coordination. “The 21st-century prosecutor must be legally sound, technologically aware, internationally connected, and institutionally courageous,” Ingonga said, adding that no prosecution authority can afford to operate in isolation in the face of increasingly sophisticated criminal enterprises.
He stated that the newly inaugurated headquarters should function as a practical centre for implementation, helping the Association coordinate meetings, maintain institutional records, monitor resolutions, strengthen communication among member states, mobilize partnerships, and develop programmes that address the practical needs of prosecutors throughout Africa.
The DPP further identified five key priorities that will guide APA’s next phase of growth. Among them strengthening institutional governance, deepening cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime and corruption, investing in capacity building for prosecutors, fostering strategic partnerships with regional and international institutions, and ensuring that prosecution services remain people-centred. He underscored the importance of equipping prosecutors with skills in emerging fields such as digital evidence, artificial intelligence, virtual assets, asset recovery, and international cooperation, noting that continuous professional development is essential for effective justice delivery in a rapidly changing world. The APA President further stressed that the Association must remain focused on protecting the public interest, safeguarding the rights of victims and accused persons, and strengthening public confidence in the rule of law. He said the inauguration of the headquarters should signal the beginning of a new chapter for the Africa Prosecutors Association, characterized by greater visibility, stronger coordination, disciplined implementation, and deeper solidarity among African prosecution authorities.
He reiterated his appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco, the APA Executive Committee, member states, and development partners for their support, expressing confidence that the headquarters would serve as a lasting symbol of unity, professionalism, and Africa’s collective commitment to justice. The establishment of the APA Headquarters in Rabat is expected to enhance coordination among prosecution services across the continent and strengthen collective efforts to combat transnational crime while promoting the rule of law and access to justice for all Africans.
Member countries present for the inauguration include Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Angola, SouthAfrica, Uganda, Mauritius, DRC, Mozambique and Morocco.
