Kleptocracy—rule by thieves—is the engine of modern authoritarianism, converting stolen public wealth into raw political power at home and abroad. These regimes use force, corruption, and hidden global networks to protect their plunder. To maintain their grip, kleptocrats systematically destroy oversight by corrupting institutions, poisoning elections, and exploiting financial systems worldwide. This assault on accountability doesn’t just steal wealth – it corrupts the very foundations of democracy globally. 

NED supports civil society and partners working in common cause that seek to detect, deter and dismantle the kleptocratic networks that undermine democracy.  Key features of the NED strategy are to detect kleptocracy by strengthening capacity for investigations and research that sheds light on both specific instances of kleptocratic acts as well or particular patterns of kleptocracy and kleptocratic networks; deter kleptocracy by providing evidence-based advocacy at the national or international level based on critical “pattern analysis” and “ground truth” regarding kleptocratic behavior that supports systemic reforms and/or collective action to effectively disincentivize kleptocratic behavior; and dismantle kleptocracy by pursuing actions that weaken impunity of kleptocrats and their ability to extract, hide, and protect their ill-gotten gains.

NED works with its core institutes and an extensive network of civil society partners around the world seeking to dismantle kleptocracy. Our partners work to investigate and prevent how kleptocrats capture core democratic institutions and steal public wealth.

Grantee Spotlight

In 2021, the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) received millions of leaked confidential bank records, marking the largest data leak in African history. PPLAAF led a global consortium of journalists to expose how BGFI Bank helped then-president Joseph Kabila's inner circle divert profits from lucrative mining contracts with China away from the Democratic Republic of Congo's public funds and into their own pockets.

In the wake of the revelations, PPLAAF has pursued sanctions against the perpetrators while protecting and supporting its whistleblowers. PPLAAF has supported numerous whistleblowers across Africa, including one who exposed rosewood trafficking between Mali and Senegal. This led to an in-depth investigation, media coverage, and concrete steps by authorities to combat the illegal trade. PPLAAF provided crucial assistance to the whistleblower, who faced severe reprisals and had to relocate.

The organization continues to expand its infrastructure to protect whistleblowers across Africa and collaborate globally. Their goal is to expose kleptocratic networks and end the impunity of corrupt leaders through whistleblowers' disclosures.

NED’s Strategic Initiatives

Building Democratic Resilience to Authoritarian Influence

Advancing the Fight against Kleptocracy

Challenging Authoritarian Censorship and Protecting Free Speech

Addressing the Opportunities and Threats Posed by Technology

Supporting Democracy Advocates at Risk

ResEarch and Analysis

International Forum Report: Kleptocratic Cooperation in Africa

Authoritarian actors play a crucial role in enabling kleptocracy across sub-Saharan Africa. A new report by NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, highlights the ways in which global authoritarian powers, Russia and China, provide surge capacity to kleptocratic networks in Africa. The authors identify critical steps to elevate civil society’s essential work exposing and combatting corruption. 

Read the Report

International Forum Report: Fighting Kleptocracy in an Era of Geopolitics

This report from the International Forum for Democratic Studies analyzes how the counter-kleptocracy agenda has been shaped by geopolitical concerns across three key focuses of foreign policy: great power confrontation with Russia; the superpower challenge from China; and the competition for influence in the Global South. 

Read the Report