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.

The index , which measures perceived levels of public sector corruption, is compiled using data from 13 different sources, including expert assessments and business surveys. The 2025 edition reflects evaluations conducted in 2024.

Presenting the findings in Antananarivo, Dominique Rakotomalala, board chair of Transparency International, Initiative Madagascar (TI-IM), said the country has been struggling with integrity issues for several years.

“The refounding of the State that we are supposed to be experiencing cannot become a reality without a resolute, coherent and sustainable fight against corruption,” he said.

Rakotomalala warned that corruption is more than a governance issue, describing it as a direct obstacle to development, social justice and public trust. He added that persistent corruption and its impact on living conditions could fuel public unrest.

TI-IM’s Executive Director, Mialisoa Randriamampianina, linked the decline in part to Madagascar’s weakening democracy indicators. She said the country’s score in the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) index has fallen by one point each year over the past three years, dragging down its overall CPI performance.

Transparency International said the latest results underline the importance of political integrity, media freedom and protection of civic space in the fight against corruption.

These included India (39), Indonesia (34) and Bangladesh (24). Singapore led the region with 84 points, ranking third globally, followed by New Zealand (81) and Australia (76). Bhutan (71) and Brunei (63) were also among the stronger performers.

“In many countries across Asia Pacific, good governance is being undermined by weak law enforcement, unaccountable leadership and opacity in political funding,” said Ilham Mohamed, adviser for Asia Pacific at Transparency International.

“With young people demanding better, leaders must act now to curb corruption and strengthen democracy. Meaningful reforms can rebuild public trust and show those in power are finally listening,” Mohamed added.

At the lower end, Afghanistan (16), Myanmar (16) and North Korea (15) remained among the world’s most corrupt in perception terms, reflecting fragile institutions, opaque governance and limited democratic checks.

Corruption more prevalent in Central Asia

In Central Asia , scores were generally weaker, underscoring concerns about repression and limited oversight. 

Kazakhstan scored 38, Uzbekistan 31 and Kyrgyzstan 26. Tajikistan (19) and Turkmenistan (17) were among the lowest in the broader Europe and Central Asia grouping, reflecting entrenched corruption risks and restricted civic space.

Transparency International said weak law enforcement, concentrated political power and pressure on civil society continue to undermine anti-corruption efforts in parts of Central Asia, while rushed or poorly implemented reforms limit progress. 

In Kazakhstan, concerns have mounted over the restructuring of anti-corruption bodies, while in Uzbekistan journalists and bloggers exposing graft still face harassment despite formal reforms.

Public frustration has been evident across parts of Asia. Protests in the Philippines (32), Indonesia and Nepal (34) in 2025 were driven in part by allegations of misuse of public funds and broader concerns over accountability.

The CPI ranks 182 countries and territories on a scale from zero, considered highly corrupt, to 100, seen as very clean. 

Mongolia Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav has directed a government working group to accelerate the implementation of Mongolia’s National Anti-Corruption Program, first approved by parliament in May 2023. The directive was issued during a meeting held on December 9, 2025, at the State Palace. Chaired by First Deputy Chief of Cabinet Secretariat Munkh-Erdene Dembereltseren, the group includes state secretaries from all ministries. Discussions focused on progress in combating corruption, addressing root causes of graft, preventing conflicts of interest, and strengthening the justice system. The Prime Minister stressed leadership, transparency, and integrity across all levels of public service and announced that 2026 will be designated the “Year of Strengthening Discipline and Accountability in the Civil Service,” amid concerns over Mongolia’s declining ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

Parliamentary inquiry intensifies scrutiny of Oyu Tolgoi mining project

A high-profile parliamentary inquiry into the Oyu Tolgoi mining project continued last week, led by MP O. Batnairamdal. More than 300 current and former officials and company representatives have been summoned to testify over three days. The hearings are examining Mongolia’s ownership of natural resources, benefit-sharing arrangements, and the possibility of renegotiating the investment agreement. Witnesses included former presidents, senior government officials, and Oyu Tolgoi executives, who addressed issues such as classified documents, loan interest negotiations, and governance decisions. Several testimonies and statements drew public attention, and the inquiry is expected to continue with further evidence review.

Mongolia and UN discuss SDGs and desertification conference

Prime Minister Zandanshatar met with UN Resident Coordinator Jaap van Hierden on December 10, 2025, to discuss accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and preparations for hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in August 2026. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Mongolia’s commitment to cooperation with the UN and highlighted draft reforms aimed at increasing transparency in political and election financing under the UN Convention against Corruption. The UN reiterated its support for addressing Mongolia’s social and economic challenges, reducing inequality, creating jobs, and advancing energy and digital transitions.

Mongolia recovers smuggled dinosaur fossils from France

Mongolia has successfully repatriated 29 sets of dinosaur fossils that were illegally smuggled out of the country and seized by French authorities in 2013 and 2015. The official handover ceremony took place in Paris on December 11, 2025, following a confirmed investigation establishing the fossils’ origin in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. The collection includes remains of Tarbosaurus, Theropods, Ornithomimosaurs, and Hadrosaurs, dating back 65 to 70 million years. Officials said the return concludes nearly a decade of cooperation between Mongolian and French authorities.

Mongolia participates in IOM Council session in Geneva

The Mongolian delegation took part in the 116th Session of the International Organisation for Migration Council, held from December 8 to 10, 2025, in Geneva. Led by Permanent Representative Gerelmaa Davaasuren, the delegation engaged in discussions with representatives from 175 member states and other stakeholders on global migration challenges. Mongolia highlighted cooperation with IOM on safe, orderly, and humane migration, while IOM Director General Amy Pope thanked Mongolia for its continued support and announced plans to launch an IOM Country Office in the nation’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Djibouti is preparing for significant constitutional changes as the National Assembly moves forward with a broad review of the country’s supreme law. Central to the reform is a proposal to extend the upper age limit for presidential candidates, a move officials describe as part of a wider strategy to modernise state structures and keep pace with global political and demographic shifts. Government leaders argue that the update reflects the nation’s evolving governance needs and reinforces Djibouti’s vision of adapting its institutions for long-term stability and competitiveness. Critics, however, are watching closely, noting that such reforms often carry long-term consequences for democratic participation and leadership renewal.

Recovering illicit assets

Djibouti has reaffirmed its tough stance against corruption and cross-border financial crime. The country participated in the ARIN-MENA General Assembly in Jeddah, showcasing its continued commitment to strengthening legal frameworks and improving regional coordination on asset recovery. Authorities highlighted recent efforts to track illicit financial flows and reclaim stolen public funds, stressing that this work forms a core part of Djibouti’s strategy to build a transparent financial ecosystem and enhance investor confidence. The government emphasised that accountability and international cooperation are essential to sustainable development and good governance in the nation.

Rebirth of Somalia state

National discourse also revisited Djibouti’s diplomatic legacy, particularly the historic role it played in Somalia’s state-building process through the Arta Conference of 2000. A reflective editorial praised the initiative as a shining example of Djibouti’s political foresight and peace-oriented diplomacy, describing it as a turning point that helped lay the foundation for Somalia’s transitional institutions after years of conflict. This reflection underscores Djibouti’s longstanding position as a mediator in regional crises and reinforces narratives positioning the country as an influential voice in advancing stability across the Horn of Africa.

Regional conflicts

Building on that legacy, President Ismail Omar Guelleh has proposed converting the Arta Peace Conference Memorial into a permanent peace-building institute dedicated to conflict resolution on the continent. The envisioned institution would serve as a regional hub for dialogue, research and preventative diplomacy, strengthening Africa’s capacity to manage disputes internally. According to the presidency, institutionalising peace work within Djibouti would not only honour the success of the Arta initiative but also align with the country’s aspirations to serve as a bridge for cooperation in a region frequently challenged by political tensions and security risks.