First Audit of NABU Rates Its Performance as “Moderately Effective”

On May 6, a commission of three international experts completed the first-ever external independent assessment of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (the NABU). The Bureau’s performance from March 2023 to November 2024 was rated at 1.4 points, corresponding to a “moderately effective” level.

According to the audit results, the NABU received various scores across five key areas of operation:

• detection and investigation of high-level corruption: assessed as sufficiently effective,
• integrity, accountability and transparency: moderately effective,
• leadership, strategy, and resource management: moderately effective,
• interagency communication: moderately effective,
• international cooperation: sufficiently effective.

The Audit Commission, comprising Martin Arpo, Robert A. Westbrooks, and Hermione Cronjer, evaluated NABU’s performance based on 38 individual criteria. The overall rating was 1.4 points, which corresponds to the “moderately effective” level on the established scale, where the highest rating of “highly effective” ranges from 2.5 to 3 points.

The auditors noted that NABU “achieved its overall expected results to a certain extent.” However, they found several shortcomings that limit the Bureau’s effectiveness. Key issues include the absence of systematic monitoring of investigations in priority areas, the lack of authority to conduct independent wiretapping, and limited access to timely forensic examinations.

Based on the audit results, the commission developed 26 recommendations for NABU and submitted 7 issues for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The key recommendations include developing a strategic plan with measurable performance indicators, enhancing protections for corruption whistleblowers, and strengthening the security of official information.

At the same time, the commission found no improper performance of duties by the NABU Director. Notably, several of the commission’s recommendations align with those previously put forward by TI Ukraine based on its research findings.

For example, they include recommendations on ensuring NABU’s access to independent forensic examinations, establishing high-quality monitoring of investigation outcomes, particularly in asset recovery, and properly communicating the results of the leak investigation.

Soon we will analyze the full report of the commission and share the key insights.