Countries succeeding in the fight against corruption

Some 20 African countries improved their CPI scores compared to the previous year, with Côte d’Ivoire being the most significant improver by points gained, followed by Rwanda, according to the 2024 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). However, scores dropped in 22 countries. South Africa’s ranking of 82 was unchanged. In their analysis of the results, Transparency International regional advisers for Africa, Paul Banoba, Robert Mwanyumba and Samuel Kaninda, state that the continent’s best performers include Seychelles (ranked 18th globally), Cabo Verde (35th), Botswana (43rd) and Rwanda (53rd). Seychelles has improved its CPI score by 20 points since 2012. The lowest scorers declined further on the CPI released in February. They were Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea (joint 173rd globally), Somalia (179th) and South Sudan, last globally in 180th position. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Lesotho (99th) has dropped 12 points over the past decade, due to government crackdowns on civil society and journalists. Fighting corruption has become “particularly difficult” due to an opaque appointment process for judges and a high backlog of cases, according to the report. Neighbouring Eswatini (135th) has declined by 16 points over the past decade. “A February report by the Public Accounts Committee showed numerous unauthorised expenditures in the national budget by various ministries – and no response from the Anti-Corruption Commission,” they state. Leading SADC countries are Botswana (43rd), Mauritius (56th), and Namibia (59th), which have maintained their relatively high CPI scores by maintaining robust legal frameworks, civil society engagement, and transparent governance practices. On the rest of the continent, Côte d’Ivoire (69th) has been singled out for gaining 10 points since 2019. This is due to a number of legal and institutional reforms implemented by the administration of President Alassane Ouattara to promote transparency and accountability and strengthen the fight against economic and financial crime. Tanzania (82nd) has gained 10 points since 2014, due to high-level public officials suspected of corruption being immediately relieved of their duties, followed by police investigations. A specialised court has been set up to hear cases of corruption and economic crime. There is “reason for hope” in Gabon and Liberia (both 135th), which have recorded 10-point declines since 2014. A 2023 coup ended 56 years of single-family rule in Gabon. Transitional president Brice Oligui Nugema has committed to anti-corruption efforts, including reinstating the Commission on Public Procurement Processes, after audits revealed overcharging. Liberian President Joseph Boakai, who took office in January 2024, provided a public assets declaration and initiated audits of key state institutions, including the central bank. ER