Breaking the Chain of Corruption on African Development

‘Corruption is a threat to development, democracy and stability’

- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

As the world celebrates the international Anti-Corruption day today, 9 December, the attention of individuals, national governments and international organisations is once again drawn to the need to stand against corruption globally.

The theme for this year’s Anti-corruption Day urges everyone to break the chain of corruption.

Coincidentally, this year’s anniversary came at the heels of the recently released Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the leading indicator of public sector corruption that offers a yearly snapshot of the degree of corruption all over the globe. As in the past, Africa fared worse on the list again this year – an indication that little has been done to curb the growing menace of corruption.

According to the TI corruption index, five of the 10 most corrupt nations in the world are in Africa. These countries are: Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Libya and Eritrea. Interestingly, none of the 48 countries in sub-Sahara Africa were part of the 10 least corrupt nations. The first African nation to surface on the list of 175 countries surveyed globally was Botswana at number 31, making it the least corrupt country in Africa. The Southern African nation is closely followed by Namibia and Rwanda which shared the 55th rank on the index.

While African nations like Egypt, Ivory Coast and Mali are among the notable countries that improved on the TI index; Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan were positioned among the five most corrupt countries in the world. The African countries at the bottom of the index are all war-ridden and from East Africa region, making it perhaps the most corrupt region in Africa. Unassumingly, most developed economies in Africa like Nigeria, Angola and Kenya were also below average on the TI Corruption perception Index.

The report shows that, perhaps, efforts by international, governmental and non-governmental organisations to tackle corruption have yielded little or no tangible result over the years. While many African governments have in the past pledged their commitment to stop the scourge of corruption over the years, it is apparent that little has been achieved as many of these territories are still riddled with corruption which has debarred necessary developmental changes in the lives of citizens. For instance, in Somalia, corruption has collapsed the economy and this has resulted in massive human migrations and much of the population live in conditions of severe poverty.

According to the 2013 Afrobarometer report, which surveyed 51,000 people in 34 African countries, African governments have faltered in the fight to curb corruption. Developed African economies like Nigeria and South Africa were perceived to have grown corrupt practices compared to countries like Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal and Zambia, where people believe that their governments are making gains in curbing public sector corruption.

In the same vein, while countries like Egypt improved on the TI Corruption perception index (moved from 114 to 97), evidence shows that despite the ongoing socio-economic and political reforms, the Maghreb nation is still battling corruption and cronyism.

Another example of an infested corrupt African nation is oil rich but improvised Angola. Although the country is one of the two topmost oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, most of her people still live in dire poverty and the nation’s wealth is in the hands of the minority rich, including the daughter of its President, Isabel Dos Santos who has been acclaimed one of the richest female billionaires in Africa.

Lack of checks and balances, insufficient institutional capacity and a culture of impunity has been identified as one of the major factors promoting corruption in Angola and even though the country has been able to attract foreign investment over the years, corrupt practices still made it one of the most difficult places to do business in Africa. The situation is not different from what is obtainable in faraway Somalia where political instability and lawlessness, fueled by the activities of the Al-Shabaab militant group have made economic and social freedom in the country a foregone benefit and the situation keeps getting worse as very few African countries are doing well to tackle corruption. 

This is because corruption is pervasive in the corridor of power and even in homes – the primary agent of socialisation. From petty corruption to cases of high-level government malfeasance, the circle of corruption in Africa knows no bound. Embezzlement, trade mispricing, lack of transparency, facilitation payments (bribery), illicit financial outflows are some of the agents fueling corruption in Africa.

Another common factor aiding corruption in most African nations is the lack of information on where to report corrupt practices and where there are agencies and institutions created, most people believe that no disciplinary action would be taken. Corruption therefore remains a serious act that needs to be curbed to move Africa forward.

Corruption calls for serious attention because the act is at the expense of ordinary citizens, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. It beckons on desired change because it impedes development and promotes poverty, inequality and injustice. According to Transparency International, ‘Poorly equipped schools, counterfeit medicine and elections decided by money are just some of the consequences of public sector corruption. Bribes and backroom deals don’t just steal resources from the most vulnerable – they undermine justice and economic development and destroy public trust in government and leaders.’

These are just some of the damages corruption does to development.

As the world commemorate this year’s Anti-corruption Day urges everyone to break the chain of corruption, it is time to make anti-corruption everyone’s business. It is time to start asking question using the policy or law in place to ensure accountability that will create self-reliance and break the chains of poverty. When the chain of corruption is broken, it will yield great trust that will usher in more businesses and investment from development partners both on the local and international level. It will also create a safe and conducive environment for all and also give room for sustainable development.