Ten countries worse off since 2012 as Africa’s anti-corruption faces setback
Corruption remains a major challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a new global index showing that progress has stalled and in some countries, reversed.
According to Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), ten African countries have recorded significant declines in their corruption scores since 2012. Only seven countries improved over the same period, in what the group describes as weak and inconsistent anti-corruption efforts.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-performing region globally, with an average score of 32 out of 100. Only four of the 49 countries assessed scored above 50, the threshold considered relatively clean in public sector governance.
Transparency International warned that corruption continues to undermine public services, democratic institutions and economic development, often hitting the most vulnerable communities hardest.
“African governments need to urgently translate anti-corruption commitments into decisive action by further strengthening accountability institutions and increasing transparency, protecting civic space and supporting public participation, along with necessary checks and balances on power,” Paul Banoba, Regional Advisor for Africa at Transparency International said.
In Madagascar, persistent corruption and alleged misuse of public funds were among the grievances that fueled protests and political upheaval in 2025. Mozambique has also declined over the past decade, while Angola has made some gains but still ranks in the lower half of the index.
At the top of the regional rankings are Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Botswana and Rwanda. At the bottom are Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan.
Transparency International is urging stronger accountability institutions, greater transparency and better protection for whistleblowers.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
