Transparency International has released its report for the Corruption Perception Index 2019 on Thursday (23rd January 2020). The report ranks all countries from all over the world based on their probability of corruption in the public sector. we will look at the Top ten most corrupt countries in Africa
Kenya only managed a score of 28 out of 100 which is below the global average score of 43. Thankfully, it doesn’t warrant it to be one of the most corrupt countries in the continent. There are other countries that are considered to be worse than Kenya and are the most notorious on Transparency International’s list.
These are the top 10 most corrupt countries in Africa:
- Chad
According to Transparency International, the recent exploration of oil is considered to have fueled the resurgence of armed conflict and corruption as oil revenues have been misused by the government to strengthen its armed forces.
While the Chad government has taken measures to fight corruption, external observers see them as politically motivated and see no clear indications of a firm commitment to getting rid of corruption.
- Burundi
The East African country is faced with problems such as that of few political rights, limited press freedoms and a weak rule of law. All of these problems have played a huge role in the rampant corruption being experienced in the country.
The country’s corruption index has, however, improved from 2018 when it only managed a score of 17 as compared to this year’s 19.
- Congo
Corruption risks in the Congo Republic are associated with conflict on interest over natural resources. The Congo basin is known to have one of the largest tropical rainforests in the world. The rainforests are now at risk of lacking preservation over corruption cases where the government is turning a blind eye.
- Democratic Republic of Congo
TI reports that the country’s president Felix Tshisekedi inherited a corrupt and inefficient state apparatus that struggles with its legitimacy and is embroiled in multiple deadly conflicts.
DRC is also being reported to have forms of neo-patrimonial governance and poor implementation of legal frameworks that strive to eliminate corruption.
- Libya
The state of corruption in the African state dates back to the rule of Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi’s regime received billions of dollars in bribes from wealthy corporations to make illegal deals in the energy sector.
Corruption in Libya remains rampant even after the revolution and the assassination of Gaddafi in 2011. Several reports show police officers engaging in malpractice including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism and extortion. Activists and media workers across the nation are also being silenced.
- Guinea Bissau
Considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world, Guinea Bissau is plagued by drug trafficking, government opacity, and lack of public accountability.
The country’s anti-corruption legal and institutional frameworks are still considered inadequate to fight organized criminal objectives.
- Equatorial Guinea
It is considered to be very rampant and among the worst of any country on earth. Transparency International has even gone ahead to consider corruption in the country as an almost perfect kleptocracy, a government that uses their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own territory to extend their personal wealth.
While it is an economically stable country, it is the only nation in the world since 2008 to receive a zero score for budget transparency.
- Sudan
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Corruption is present in all sectors and across all branches and levels of government: public servants are known to demand bribes for services that individuals or companies are legally entitled to; government officials hold direct and indirect stakes in many enterprises, which distorts the market through patronage and cronyism; and the head of state and government is believed to have embezzled up to US$9 billion from oil revenues.
- South Suda
The world’s youngest nation began on the wrong foot as corruption plagues every sector. Bribery is widespread in all sectors of the economy and close relations between the government and businesses are mentioned as a crucial factor in succeeding in business. The country’s judicial system is inefficient and is plagued by corruption and a culture of impunity.
The public services sector carries high corruption risks for business. More than a third of companies expect to give gifts or other irregular payments to government officials to obtain an operating license.
Aside from major insecurity, corruption is also a plague in the country. 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.
Top ten most corrupt countries in Africa.