Family picture of participants who attended the seminar

The ability of Ombudsman institutions to investigate well is at the heart of their value to the citizens they serve and the governments they hold to account. As public administration becomes more complex, involving digital records, financial systems, large volumes of documents and technology-based decision-making, the demands placed on Ombudsman investigators continue to grow. It is for this reason that an in-person training on forensic investigations and digital case handling: integrating technology into ombudsman work, was organized in Windhoek, Namibia from the 21 to 23 July 2026, by the research and training arm of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA).

View of a cross-section participants during the training seminar 

The programme brought together Ombudsman heads, investigators, legal officers, case management staff and other oversight personnel from across Africa and beyond to engage on, amongst others:

• The foundations of Ombudsman investigations and public interest case handling.
• Forensic investigation methods, evidence handling and practical document analysis.
• Digital case handling, reporting, technology integration and cybersecurity.
• Practical approaches to documentary red flags, financial records and evidentiary standards in Ombudsman investigations.
• The responsible use of specialist support in complex investigations; and
• Train-the-trainer application and practical institutional follow-up.

     OPIC staff present at the  training seminar

Delegates of Ombudsman institutions from 33 African Countries, including the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator of the South-West Region in Cameroon arrived in Windhoek on Monday, 20 July 2026. The three days intensive in-person training was very engaging and dynamic as daily schedules ran from morning to evening with a mix of lectures, group work, and skill-building exercises.

The end result was rewarding with great new knowledge on how to strengthen the ability of Ombudsman institutions to conduct more structured and evidence-based investigations, handle digital and documentary evidence correctly, improve reporting standards, and respond effectively to the opportunities and risks that come with the digital age.