By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Sinkor, Monrovia– Liberia has made a slight improvement in its fight against corruption, moving two points up in the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2024 released by Transparency International. However, the country remains one of the world’s worst decliners in the past decade, signaling the urgent need for deeper anti-graft reforms.
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) unveiled the latest rankings on Tuesday, revealing that Liberia climbed from 145th place in 2023 to 141st out of 180 countries surveyed in 2024. The country’s score rose from 25 to 27 out of 100, marking its first improvement in seven years.
While CENTAL acknowledges this progress under President Joseph Boakai’s administration, it warns that impunity for corruption remains high. “President Boakai has taken some steps, including asset declaration and suspensions of some officials, but selective enforcement raises doubts about his administration’s commitment to tackling corruption impartially,” CENTAL said in its statement.
Liberia Still Among the Worst Decliners
Despite this marginal gain, Liberia remains one of the biggest global decliners since 2014, having dropped 10 points over the past decade. CENTAL’s 2023 State of Corruption Report further paints a grim picture, with 90% of Liberians believing corruption is high and expressing little confidence in the government’s ability to fight it effectively.
The CPI measures public sector corruption based on bribery, diversion of public funds, procurement fraud, nepotism, and the abuse of office for personal gain. It also assesses how well a country enforces anti-corruption laws, supports whistleblowers, and ensures press freedom.
Regional and Global Trends
Liberia’s corruption struggles mirror a broader trend across Sub-Saharan Africa, which once again recorded the lowest average score globally (33/100). Weak oversight, political interference, and mismanagement of funds—particularly climate-related finances—continue to undermine governance across the continent.
Seychelles (72), Cabo Verde (62), and Botswana (57) lead the region with the best scores, while Somalia (9), South Sudan (8), and Equatorial Guinea (13) rank among the most corrupt globally.
Globally, Denmark (90), Finland (88), and Singapore (84) topped the CPI, while war-torn nations like Syria (12), Venezuela (10), and South Sudan (8) remained at the bottom. The world’s average score remains stagnant at 43/100 for the 13th consecutive year, signaling a global struggle to curb corruption.
What Needs to Change?
CENTAL is urging President Boakai to take stronger, impartial actions by enforcing anti-corruption laws, prosecuting offenders, and strengthening oversight institutions like the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC).
“Urgent action is needed worldwide, particularly in Liberia, to root out corruption that undermines climate action and governance,” said Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International. “Only by tackling corruption head-on can we rebuild trust and accelerate development.”
Liberians, activists, and journalists are also being encouraged to demand greater transparency and hold public officials accountable. CENTAL insists that with genuine political will, Liberia can reverse its downward trend and make meaningful progress in the global fight against corruption.
The Big Question: Will President Boakai Deliver?
With Liberia at a crossroads, the coming months will test whether the government’s anti-corruption rhetoric translates into real action—or if impunity will continue to cripple the nation’s development.
