Corruption and illicit financial flows represent significant impediments to achieving sustainable development, as they undermine institutions, distort resource allocation, and erode public trust, directly affecting the objectives outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Target 16.4 of the SDGs emphasizes the need to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, combat organized crime, and strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, while Target 16.5 focuses on substantially reducing corruption and bribery in all their forms. These targets collectively highlight the centrality of transparency, accountability, and good governance as prerequisites for sustainable development, underscoring the idea that economic growth and social progress cannot be sustained in environments where corruption and illicit financial flows are rampant. Illicit financial flows (IFFs) involve the illegal movement of money or capital from one country to another, typically resulting from tax evasion, trade mispricing, bribery, money laundering, or the proceeds of criminal activities. These flows drain resources from developing economies, where public funds are most needed to finance education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social protection. According to global estimates, developing countries lose hundreds of billions of dollars annually through illicit financial flows, a sum that far exceeds official development assistance. This loss directly undermines the capacity of governments to invest in sustainable development initiatives and achieve equitable growth, creating a vicious cycle where poverty, inequality, and institutional weaknesses are perpetuated. Corruption, which includes the misuse of public office for private gain, is deeply intertwined with illicit financial flows. Corruption not only facilitates the movement of illicit funds but also reduces the effectiveness of development spending by diverting resources away from essential services. Bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and favoritism erode public trust, weaken the rule of law, and distort decision-making in both public and private sectors. When citizens perceive their institutions as corrupt, they are less likely to comply with tax obligations or participate in civic processes, further limiting the resources available for public investment and hindering the achievement of SDG targets. The link between corruption and inequality is also profound, as the poor and marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by the diversion of public resources, limited access to services, and reduced opportunities for social mobility. Target 16.4 specifically addresses illicit financial flows by advocating for measures to track, control, and repatriate illegally obtained funds. The effective monitoring of cross-border financial movements, strengthening of legal frameworks, and international cooperation are critical to curbing these flows. Global strategies have emerged to tackle