- South Sudan and Somalia are the most corrupt countries in the world, respectively.
- Corruption is a systemic crisis in Africa, hindering development and pushing millions into poverty.
- The list is according to Transparency International’s CPI 2024.
The latest report by Transparency International on the Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) spanning 180 countries indicates that corruption is still prevalent in many African countries. Based on the performance, Africa stands as the most corrupt continent.
The poor performance of Sub-Saharan African countries underscores the persistent and systemic corruption affecting institutions—a clarion call for urgent measures to combat the crises. Corruption is not only a problem in Africa but also a constant global issue. However, the report shows many countries are on the right trajectory.
“The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries.”
The report also indicates that over two-thirds of countries score below 50, while the average global score has been stagnated at 43 for so many years—showing slow progress, as only 32 countries have significantly reduced their corruption levels since 2012.
In Africa, rampant corruption—mostly common within the public sector—has significantly affected the larger population, pushing them into abject poverty. It remains a difficult issue to crack due to the individuals or entities involved being deemed powerful and connected, leading to fear of reprisals if reported.
Corruption is also linked to the deepening trenches of climate change, as funds intended for mitigation are suddenly minted, leaving the most vulnerable exposed to the dangerous effects of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Huge numbers of people around the world suffer severe consequences of global heating as funds intended to help countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable populations are stolen or misused. At the same time, corruption in the form of undue influence obstructs policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis and leads to environmental damage.”
According to the Transparency International CPI ranking, South Sudan and Somalia are the most corrupt countries in Africa and the entire world as of 2025. South Sudan has a CPI score of 8/100 and is ranked 180th, while Somalia has a CPI score of 9/100, at position 179/180.
Both South Sudan and Somalia have experienced prolonged periods of political instability and conflict, enabling a conducive environment for corruption. Such conditions weaken central governments, thus hindering oversight, which undermines accountability mechanisms.
