Africa’s anti‑corruption landscape: modest gains mask a turning point
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) 2026 reports that the continent’s average anti‑corruption score rose from 38.6 in 2016 to 39.1 in 2025 – an increase of just 0.5 points. While the numeric change appears small, the underlying trend tells a more nuanced story.
Overall trend and reversal
Between 2016 and 2020 anti‑corruption performance declined across many African states. After 2020, however, scores began to climb, driven by stronger institutional reforms and renewed political commitments. The foundation describes Africa’s overall governance trajectory as “increasingly improving,” noting that the rebound in the second half of the decade reversed the earlier downward slide.
Top performers: Rwanda and Seychelles share the lead
Rwanda and the Seychelles jointly top the 2025 anti‑corruption rankings with identical scores of 76.6, placing them 21 points ahead of the next‑best country.
- Rwanda has maintained the highest score since 2016, reflecting sustained investment in anti‑corruption agencies, transparent public‑procurement systems, and a zero‑tolerance stance toward graft.
- Seychelles recorded the continent’s most dramatic improvement over the past decade, gaining 26.3 points and climbing 12 places to share the top spot. The island nation’s progress stems from comprehensive judicial reforms, enhanced asset‑declaration requirements for officials, and robust whistle‑blower protections.
The remaining eight countries in the top ten are Burkina Faso (55.6), Cabo Verde (53.2), Mauritius (52.8), Botswana (52.1), Namibia (50.9), Ghana (49.7), Senegal (48.5), and Tunisia (47.3).
Progress remains uneven across the continent
While the leaders showcase what is possible, many African nations continue to struggle with entrenched corruption.
Countries with the largest improvements (2016‑2025)
- Seychelles (+26.3)
- Angola (+19.4)
- Chad (+17.8)
- Somalia (+16.5)
- Togo (+15.2)
Somalia, despite remaining at the bottom of the continental rankings, posted one of the strongest long‑term gains, illustrating that even fragile states can make measurable strides when reforms are sustained.
Countries with the largest declines (2016‑2025)
- Comoros (−12.4)
- Liberia (−11.7)
- South Africa (−10.9)
- Niger (−10.3)
- Botswana (−9.8)
The drop in Botswana is especially noteworthy given its longstanding reputation as a governance leader; the decline reflects recent lapses in oversight mechanisms and rising concerns over public‑sector procurement.
Regional analysis
Anti‑corruption performance varies significantly by regional bloc.
- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) recorded the highest average score in 2025 at 44.5, buoyed by strong showings from Namibia, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) posted the lowest regional average at 26.9, reflecting persistent challenges in Somalia, South Sudan, and Eritrea.
- The Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) emerged as the fastest‑improving bloc, with every member state registering higher anti‑corruption scores over the past decade.
Private‑sector gains versus public perception
The IIAG breaks down anti‑corruption performance into six indicators. The private‑sector indicator showed the largest improvement, suggesting that regulatory reforms, enhanced transparency in licensing, and stricter enforcement of anti‑bribery laws are beginning to curb illicit practices in business.
Conversely, public perception of government anti‑corruption efforts deteriorated the most over the ten‑year period, hitting a low point in 2022. Since then, perception has begun to recover modestly, indicating that while institutional capacity is growing, rebuilding citizen trust remains a critical governance challenge.
Key takeaways for policymakers and stakeholders
- Sustained investment in independent anti‑corruption agencies and transparent procurement systems yields measurable results, as demonstrated by Rwanda and Seychelles.
- Regional cooperation can amplify progress; the UMA’s uniform improvement highlights the value of shared standards and peer review.
- Addressing the perception gap requires not only stronger institutions but also effective communication strategies that inform citizens about anti‑corruption actions and outcomes.
- Continued monitoring through robust indices like the IIAG is essential to track progress, identify backsliding, and adjust policies in real time.
The 2026 IIAG underscores that Africa’s anti‑corruption journey is neither linear nor uniform. While modest aggregate gains mask significant national successes and setbacks, the data provide a clear roadmap: reinforce institutional integrity, foster regional collaboration, and work relentlessly to translate reforms into public confidence.
