The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority

The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority is responsible for combating all manifestations and forms of financial and administrative corruption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established by a royal decree on March 18, 2011, under the name of the National Anti-Corruption Authority. On December 12, 2019, a Royal Decree was issued to merge the Control and Investigation Board and Administrative Investigations departments with the National Anti-Corruption Authority, under one entity called the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority. The authority protects integrity, combats corruption, and coordinates the efforts of the public and private sectors in planning and monitoring.

It is headquartered in Riyadh and has twenty-five branches across the Kingdom's thirteen provinces. The authority is headed by a minister and two deputies at the highest (excellent) rank, all appointed by a Royal Decree.

To combat financial and administrative corruption, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority investigates aspects of financial and administrative corruption in public works contracts, operation and maintenance contracts, and contracts related to public affairs and the interests of citizens within entities affiliated with the authority. Moreover, it takes the necessary legal measures regarding any contract that involves corruption in any way, or one that was concluded or is being implemented in violation of the laws and regulations provisions in force.

The authority refers violations and abuses related to financial and administrative corruption when uncovered to regulatory or investigative entities, depending on the case. The authority may review the course of the investigation, follow up on the progress of procedures in this regard, and request the concerned entities to take preventive or provisional measures, as required by the law, regarding evidence of committed acts that fall within the concept of corruption. If the authority deems certain violations to tamper with the institutional dimension of any entities that fall within its competencies, it reports the matter to the King, who takes the appropriate measures.

The authority's competencies include following up with the competent entities on the recovery of funds and proceeds resulting from corruption crimes, as well as reviewing work methods and procedures in the entities covered by the authority's competencies to identify and address weaknesses that lead to corruption. This will achieve the authority's goals and implement its functions, in addition to suggesting the required regulations and policies to prevent and combat corruption and conducting a periodic review of the relevant laws and regulations to identify and enhance their level of adequacy and report them by the statutory procedures.

According to the rules of professional conduct, the authority’s employees are compelled to be impartial and fair and prevent any act or saying that may lead to preferential treatment towards any entity or individual dealing with the authority, either directly or indirectly. Employees do not accept any favor, gift, donation, or similar offerings from any person or entity subject to the authority's competencies or entities dealing with the authority. They will maintain the confidentiality of information even after the termination of the employment relationship. Moreover, employees will not participate in media programs or write in newspapers, websites, or social networks about a subject related to the authority's competencies or on behalf of the authority, except with the approval of its president or his/her representative.

The authority allows the submission of reports electronically about any actions involving corruption crimes, financial or administrative violations, or failure to provide public services to citizens, provided that the reported entity is part of the public sector, or the state owns at least 25 percent of its capital. Moreover, the report shall include specific facts that can be searched and traced, and evidence, if available, shall also be submitted to verify the complaint's validity.