Friday February 14, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia continues to rank among the world’s most corrupt nations, according to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which evaluates 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. The latest report, released Wednesday, places Somalia at 179th place with a score of 9 out of 100, marking a decline of two points since 2023.
The ranking continues Somalia’s trend of consistently being listed among the most corrupt countries globally. From 2007 to 2020, Somalia held the lowest position on the CPI for 13 consecutive years. In 2022, it was ranked as the world’s most corrupt country with a score of 12, demonstrating a marginal improvement, only to decline again in 2024.
The findings reinforce long-standing concerns about governance failures, weak institutions, and systemic corruption that have plagued Somalia for decades. Despite government pledges to implement reforms, little progress has been made in tackling bribery, mismanagement, and impunity within state institutions.
According to Transparency International, corruption remains one of the biggest barriers to stability, economic recovery, and public trust in Somalia’s institutions. The country’s judicial and law enforcement systems lack the capacity to hold corrupt officials accountable, further entrenching the cycle of impunity.
“Corruption is blocking progress towards a sustainable world,” Transparency International stated in its report. “It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.”
The security sector has been particularly affected, with reports indicating that funds allocated for counterterrorism operations are routinely misappropriated. Transparency International notes that corruption in fragile states such as Somalia exacerbates existing instability, making it harder to maintain internal security.
Efforts to combat corruption, including establishing the Office of the Auditor General in 2014 and the Public Procurement, Concessions, and Disposal Act, have had little impact due to weak enforcement mechanisms and political interference. Previous anti-corruption initiatives have often been undermined by a lack of political will, with officials accused of protecting their own interests instead of prioritizing governance reforms.
Somalia is not alone in its governance struggles. South Sudan remains the world’s most corrupt nation, ranking 180th with a CPI score of 8. Neighboring Sudan, which has suffered from prolonged political instability, also ranks among the lowest. The prevalence of corruption in these nations has contributed to state fragility, economic downturns, and governance failures.
Ethiopia and Kenya perform marginally better but continue to struggle with corruption in public procurement, political processes, and law enforcement. Ongoing conflicts have slowed Ethiopia’s recent anti-corruption efforts, while Kenya’s anti-graft agencies have faced challenges in enforcing reforms amid political resistance.
Corruption in Somalia extends beyond governance and has major economic implications. Widespread bribery, embezzlement of donor funds, and fraudulent business practices deter foreign investment and hinder economic growth. Transparency International highlights that corruption has also exacerbated the effects of climate change on Somalia’s agricultural economy, further destabilizing livelihoods and food security.
“In Somalia, climate change has wreaked havoc on the country’s agricultural economy and worsened its 30-year-long conflict,” Transparency International stated. The report notes that the most climate-vulnerable countries, including Somalia and South Sudan, also suffer from rampant corruption, further limiting their ability to respond to environmental crises.
