Africa’s 10 best-performing countries in the fight against corruption

 

Africa’s efforts to tackle corruption recorded steady progress in 2025, with several countries strengthening accountability across public institutions after years of uneven performance.

The latest 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation shows that the continent’s average Anti-Corruption score rose from 38.6 in 2016 to 39.1 in 2025.

Although the increase of 0.5 points appears small, the report says it reflects a broader recovery. Anti-corruption performance declined between 2016 and 2020 before improving during the second half of the decade, leading the Foundation to classify Africa’s overall trend as “Increasing Improvement.”

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The index measures how well countries prevent and combat corruption across key public institutions, including the executive, legislature and judiciary. It also assesses public procurement systems, anti-corruption agencies, corruption in the private sector and public perceptions of corruption.

Rwanda and Seychelles share the top position in Africa with identical scores of 76.6. They are followed by Mauritius, while Burkina Faso completes the continent’s top 10 with a score of 55.6.

The report also highlights Seychelles as the country’s biggest success story over the past decade. Since 2016, it has gained 26.3 points and climbed 12 places to join Rwanda at the top of the rankings. Rwanda, meanwhile, has maintained the leading position throughout the period.

Here are the 10 African countries with the strongest anti-corruption performance in 2025.

1. Rwanda – 76.6

Rwanda retained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked country for anti-corruption performance, sharing first place with Seychelles. The country has remained at the top of the rankings since 2016, reflecting consistency in its anti-corruption framework and oversight institutions. Its score indicates sustained performance across public institutions and accountability systems measured by the IIAG.

2. Seychelles – 76.6

Seychelles shares the number one position after recording the largest improvement among all African countries over the past decade. The country gained 26.3 points between 2016 and 2025 and moved up 12 places in the rankings. The report identifies Seychelles as the continent’s strongest improver in anti-corruption performance during the period.

3. Mauritius – 65.7

Mauritius ranks third with a score of 65.7. The country remains among Africa’s leading performers in governance and accountability. Its position reflects continued performance across institutions responsible for preventing corruption and ensuring public sector oversight.

4. Senegal – 64.0

Senegal occupies fourth place with a score of 64.0. The country’s ranking places it among the leading performers in West Africa. According to the index, its score reflects progress in the systems and institutions used to address corruption and improve accountability.

5. Benin – 58.7

Benin ranks fifth with a score of 58.7. The country’s position places it ahead of several larger economies on the continent. Its performance reflects the effectiveness of measures assessed by the IIAG, including oversight institutions and public sector accountability.

6. Botswana – 57.8

Botswana is sixth with a score of 57.8. The country has long been recognised for maintaining governance structures that support accountability in public institutions. Its latest score keeps it among Africa’s leading countries in anti-corruption performance.

7. Namibia – 57.6

Namibia follows closely in seventh place with a score of 57.6. The narrow gap between Namibia and Botswana shows how closely matched the rankings are among several of Africa’s top-performing countries. The index measures the country’s performance across public institutions and anti-corruption mechanisms.

8. Cabo Verde – 56.1

Cabo Verde ranks eighth with a score of 56.1. The island nation continues to perform above the continental average in anti-corruption measures. Its position reflects the strength of the institutions and governance systems assessed in the index.

9. Tunisia – 55.9

Tunisia takes ninth place with a score of 55.9. Despite challenges faced in recent years, the country remains among Africa’s 10 highest-ranked nations for anti-corruption performance based on the IIAG assessment.

10. Burkina Faso – 55.6

Burkina Faso completes the top 10 with a score of 55.6. Although it ranks tenth, the country remains only one point behind eighth-placed Cabo Verde, highlighting the close competition among countries in the lower half of the top 10.