Corruption is a major issue in many African countries, and there are several nations that have been identified as having particularly high levels of corruption. The most corrupt country in Africa is a subject of debate, as different rankings and measurements may yield different results. However, some countries that have consistently ranked as having high levels of corruption in various studies include Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. These countries have weak governance, lack of transparency and accountability, and poor rule of law, which contribute to the high level of corruption in these nations.
According to Transparency International, South Sudan is the most corrupt country in Africa in 2024, while Seychelles is the least corrupt country in Africa.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is a ranking that assesses countries on a rating scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (highly clean) in terms of perceived corruption levels worldwide.
In Africa, several countries are recognized for their transparency and low levels of corruption. Seychelles, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Rwanda, Namibia, and Mauritius are among the most transparent nations on the continent, with higher scores indicating a lower perceived level of corruption.
On the other hand, there are countries in Africa that are considered to have higher levels of corruption. South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R. Congo) are the top five most corrupt nations in Africa, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index.
It is important to note that the Corruption Perceptions Index is based on perceptions and may not reflect the actual extent of corruption in each country. It serves as a valuable tool for raising awareness and identifying areas that may require further attention in combating corruption at a global level.
The latest corruption perceptions index ranks countries on a rating scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (Highly clean) in the world.
With a score of 70, the Seychelles is the least corrupt country in Africa, the country is closely followed by Cabo Verde (58), Botswana (55), Mauritius (54) and Rwanda (53). At the bottom of the index are South Sudan (11), Somalia (13), Libya (17), Equatorial Guinea (17) and Democratic Republic of Congo (19).
With an average score of 33, Sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest performing region on the CPI, showing little improvement from previous years and underscoring a need for urgent action.
According to Transparency International, armed conflict, violent transitions of power and increasing terrorist threats combined with poor enforcement of anti-corruption commitments rob citizens of Sub-Saharan Africa of their basic rights and services.
Since 2012, several countries, including Congo, Libya, Madagascar (24) and Malawi have significantly declined on the CPI.
Angola (29, up 7 points since 2012) marks a significant improvement on the CPI following the election of President João Lourenço in 2017, who has taken steps to crack down on corruption. Authorities have pursued high-profile corruption investigations into the former ruling family. Among them was Isabel dos Santos, the former president’s daughter and ex-chief of the state oil company Sonangol.
This latest CPI shows that 80 per cent of countries In Africa have stagnated in the last 10 years.
“One of the biggest threats to progress is grand corruption – systemic corruption involving high-level public officials and vast sums of money, often accompanied by gross human rights violations. And yet impunity has been the norm, rather than the exception” – TI
Top 20 Most Corrupt Countries in Africa, 2024
1. Somalia
Somalia is the most corrupt country in Africa and the most corrupt country in East Africa. Insecurity is also a major issue; Corrupt government officials tolerate illegal activities in return for bribes. Dysfunctional institutions facilitate an environment of lawlessness, and the absence of any form of regulatory framework hinders prospects of economic competitiveness.
Somalia’s Provisional Constitution criminalizes several forms of corruption (including abuse of office, embezzlement and bribery); however, implementation is non-existent.
2. South Sudan
South Sudan is the second most corrupt country in Africa.
According to the index, bribery is widespread in all sectors of the economy and close relations between the government and businesses are a crucial factor in succeeding in business. The country’s judicial system is inefficient and is also plagued by corruption and a culture of impunity.
3. Equatorial Guinea
According to Transparency International, the control of corruption in Equatorial Guinea is among the lowest 1% in the world, with citizens of the country believing that many public authorities perform for personal gain. The country is the third most corrupt country in Africa.
4. Libya
Corruption presents a significant obstacle for companies doing business in Libya. All sectors in the Libyan economy suffer from widespread corruption; however, the public procurement sector and the oil industry are among the most affected. Bribery and favoritism are common practice in all sectors, and companies may struggle with unfair competition from state-owned businesses, which also dominate the local market. Corruption was rampant under Gaddafi’s rule, and the situation has only worsened in the post-revolution period.
5. Sudan
According to transparency international, Corruption exists in every sector of Sudan’s economy and in every level of the Sudanese government. It takes the form of “financial and political corruption, nepotism, and misuse of power”. The country is the 5th most corrupt country in Africa.
6. DR Congo
A range of factors contribute to the DRC’s high corruption levels. Weak democracy allows corrupt politicians to maintain power, while ineffective institutions give opportunities for corruption rather than preventing it. People who expose or oppose corrupt systems are suppressed.
The country also has low levels of stateness, a key tool that undemocratic regimes can use against corruption: also, the government doesn’t control its own army, competes for local power with many militias and has little control of movement through its eastern borders.
7. Comoros
Comoros is the 162 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, and the seventh most corrupt country in according to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.
8. Chad
Corruption in Chad pervades all levels of the economy and is perpetuated by a weak rule of law and a lack of security.
Key anti-corruption legislation includes the anti-corruption law, which criminalizes active and passive bribery and stipulates harsh penalties. However, enforcement is poor, and prosecutions usually target political opponents of the government.
Chad is the 162nd least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, and the 8th most corrupt in Africa according to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International.
9. Burundi
Despite the establishment of anti-corruption agencies, Burundi is facing a deepening corruption crisis that jeopardizes prospects for lasting peace and stability. The country was ranked 162 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, and the 6th most corrupt country in Africa.
10. Eritrea
Guinea Bissau is the 172 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, the 10th most corrupt country in Africa and the 4th most corrupt country in East Africa according to the Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.
Top 20 Most Corrupt Countries in Africa, 2024
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Somalia |
| 2 | South Sudan |
| 3 | Equatorial Guinea |
| 4 | Libya |
| 5 | Sudan |
| 6 | D.R Congo |
| 7 | Comoros |
| 8 | Chad |
| 9 | Burundi |
| 10 | Eritrea |
| 11 | Guinea Bissau |
| 12 | Congo |
| 13 | Zimbabwe |
| 14 | Central Africa Rep. |
| 15 | Nigeria |
| 16 | Mozambique |
| 17 | Madagascar |
| 18 | Liberia |
| 19 | Uganda |
| 20 | Guinea |
Top 30 Least Corrupt Countries in Africa, 2024
Even though corruption is a widespread problem in many African countries, there are some nations in the region that have been recognized for their relatively low levels of corruption. Some of the least corrupt countries in Africa include Botswana, Cape Verde, and Seychelles. These countries have been recognized for their strong governance, transparency and accountability, and rule of law which help to curb the corruption.
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Seychelles |
| 2 | Cabo Verde |
| 3 | Botswana |
| 4 | Rwanda |
| 5 | Mauritius |
| 6 | Namibia |
| 7 |
São Tomé and Príncipe |
| 8 | Benin |
| 9 | Ghana |
| 10 | Senegal |
| 11 | Burkina Faso |
| 12 | South Africa |
| 13 | Cote d’Ivoire |
| 14 | Tanzania |
| 15 | Tunisia |
| 16 | Lesotho |
| 17 | Morrocco |
| 18 | Ethiopia |
| 19 | Gambia |
| 20 | Zambia |
| 21 | Algeria |
| 22 | Egypt |
| 23 | Sierra Leone |
| 24 | Malawi |
| 25 | Angola |
| 26 | Niger |
| 27 | Kenya |
| 28 | Togo |
| 29 | Djibouti |
| 30 | Eswatini |
To reduce corruption and restore trust in politics, Transparency International recommends that governments:
– Reinforce checks and balances and promote separation of powers.
– Tackle preferential treatment to ensure budgets and public services aren’t driven by personal connections or biased towards special interests;
– Control political financing to prevent excessive money and influence in politics;
– Manage conflicts of interest and address “revolving doors”;
– Regulate lobbying activities by promoting open and meaningful access to decision-making;
– Strengthen electoral integrity and prevent and sanction misinformation campaigns;
– Empower citizens and protect activists, whistleblowers and journalists.
Methodology
Corruption Perception index offers an annual snapshot of the relative degree of corruption by ranking countries and territories from all over the globe. In 2012, Transparency International revised the methodology used to construct the index to allow for comparison of scores from one year to the next. The 2021 CPI draws on surveys and expert assessments to measure public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, giving each a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
The Index aggregates data from a number of different sources that provide perceptions by business people and country experts of the level of corruption in the public sector.
According to another index, (TRACE 2020 Bribery Risk Matrix), These 10 African countries have a very low bribery index
The anti-bribery standard-setting organization TRACE has released this year’s Bribery Risk Matrix, which measures business bribery risk in 194 countries, territories, and autonomous and semi-autonomous regions.
According to the 2020 data, North Korea, Turkmenistan, South Sudan, Venezuela and Eritrea present the highest commercial bribery risk, while Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and New Zealand present the lowest.
The score is based on four factors: business interactions with government, anti-bribery deterrence and enforcement, government and civil service transparency, and capacity for civil society oversight, including the role of the media.
Each country is given a score from 1 to 100 for each domain and the total bribery risk. A higher score indicates a higher risk of business bribery. Assessments of whether a given domain score is “good” or “poor” are made relative to all other jurisdictions within that domain.
Countries that have the least possibility of public officials asking for bribes
Below are the ten African countries that have the least possibility of public officials asking for bribes according to TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix.
1. Mauritius
Mauritius ranked 44 globally with an overall score of 35 (essentially ranking first in Africa). On the parameter used to measure the risk of bribery, it ranked 34 on Business Interactions with Government due to a low degree of government interaction, a medium expectation of bribes, and a low regulatory burden.
It scored 38 on Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement based on a medium quality of antibribery dissuasion and a high quality of antibribery enforcement.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 42 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
It, however, received a good score on Capacity for Civil Society Oversight. Mauritius receives a good score of 28 in this domain, based on a medium degree of media freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.
2. Botswana
Botswana was ranked 53 (and second in Africa) with an overall score of 39.
On Business Interactions with Government, the East African country scored 43 based on a medium degree of government interaction, a low expectation of bribes, and a medium regulatory burden.
However, it scored 29 on Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement based on the high quality of antibribery dissuasion and high quality of antibribery enforcement.
Botswana received a medium score of 49 Government and Civil Service Transparency. It was based on medium governmental transparency and good transparency of financial interests.
On building the Capacity for Civil Society Oversight, Botswana received a good score of 28 in this domain, based on a medium degree of media freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.
3. Tunisia
Tunisia ranked 55 (and third in Africa) with an overall risk score of 40. On Business Interactions with Government, the North African country scored 42 based on a medium degree of government interaction, a low expectation of bribes, and a medium regulatory burden.
However, it scored 50 on Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement based on high quality of antibribery dissuasion and high quality of antibribery enforcement.
Tunisia received a medium score of 46 Government and Civil Service Transparency. It was based on medium governmental transparency and good transparency of financial interests.
On building the Capacity for Civil Society Oversight Botswana received a good score of 24 in this domain, based on a medium degree of media freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.
4. Namibia
Namibia’s overall position was 58 (and fourth in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 41. It ranked 44 on Business Interactions with Government due to a low degree of government interaction, a medium expectation of bribes, and a low regulatory burden.
It scored 51 on Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement based on a medium quality of antibribery dissuasion and a high quality of antibribery enforcement.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 43 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
It, however, received a good score on Capacity for Civil Society Oversight. Namibia received a good score of 27 in this domain, based on a medium degree of media freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.
5. South Africa
South Africa Overall ranked 61 (and fifth in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 41. On the factors used to assess the countries, it scored 51 Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement based on a medium quality of antibribery dissuasion and a high quality of antibribery enforcement.
South Africa received a medium score of 60 on Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement, based on low quality of antibribery dissuasion and medium quality of antibribery enforcement.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, South Africa received a good score of 29, based on good governmental transparency and good transparency of financial interests.
It, however, received a good score on Capacity for Civil Society Oversight. South Africa received a good score of 24 in this domain, based on a medium degree of media freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.
6. Cape verde
Cape verde’s overall position was 63 (and 6th in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 40. It ranked 38th on Business Interactions with Government due to a low degree of government interaction, a medium expectation of bribes, and a low regulatory burden.
It scored 42 on Antibribery Deterrence and Enforcement based on a medium quality of antibribery dissuasion and a high quality of antibribery enforcement.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 51 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
It, however, received a good score on Capacity for Civil Society Oversight. Namibia received a good score of 36 in this domain, based on a medium degree of media freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.
7. Seychelles
Seychelles’s overall position was 42 (and 6th in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 43.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 43 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
8. Senegal
Cape verde’s overall position was 43 (and 6th in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 46.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 51 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
9. Ghana
Ghana overall position was 44 (and 6th in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 52.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 50 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
10. Rwanda
Rwanda overall position was 47 (and 6th in Africa) with a bribery risk score of 34.
On Government and Civil Service Transparency, it scored 51 because of medium governmental transparency and medium transparency of financial interests.
Methodology
The TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix (TRACE Matrix) measures business bribery risk in 194 countries, territories, and autonomous and semi-autonomous regions. The overall country risk score is a combined and weighted score of four domains: Business Interactions with Government; Anti-Bribery Deterrence and Enforcement; Government and Civil Service Transparency; and Capacity for Civil Society Oversight, including the role of the media. The domain scores are derived from nine subdomains. The TRACE Matrix was originally developed in 2014 in collaboration with RAND Corporation. It is updated annually by TRACE.
Revised in September 2024
