Mali remains in a difficult position according to the 2024 Corruption Perception Index
The latest results from the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), released by Transparency International on February 12, 2025, place Mali at 136th out of 180 nations. With a score of just 28 out of 100, the country continues to grapple with systemic integrity issues that hinder its economic progress and governance.
The report highlights a significant decline in the effectiveness of oversight bodies. Furthermore, it points to a lack of transparency in public procurement and opaque management of state funds, which fuels a widespread belief that corruption is deeply rooted.
Public administration is particularly vulnerable. Access to vital sectors—including the justice system, healthcare, and education—is frequently marred by bribery and favoritism. This environment fosters a growing distrust among citizens toward the state and creates a sense of impunity for the ruling class. These findings are echoed by local investigative bodies like the Office Central de Lutte contre l’Enrichissement Illicite (OCLEI) and the Bureau du Vérificateur Général.
Regional trends across West Africa
Mali is not alone in its struggle. Throughout West Africa, several nations reported poor results in the 2024 CPI, reflecting weakened governance and a lack of financial clarity.
Nigeria, the region’s largest economy, earned a score of 25, largely due to the diversion of public resources, particularly within the oil industry. Burkina Faso, currently in a period of transition, scored 30. Both remain well below the critical 50-point mark that distinguishes corrupt administrations from those with relative integrity.
In contrast, Ghana remains a regional leader in transparency with a score of 43, despite a minor decrease compared to previous years.
Sub-Saharan Africa: A high-risk zone for corruption
With a regional average of 32, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be one of the areas most affected by corruption globally. More than two-thirds of the continent’s nations scored below 50, indicating a widespread failure to implement effective anti-corruption measures.
Transparency International also raised concerns regarding climate change aid. As many African countries prepare to receive international funding for environmental adaptation, the lack of oversight could mean these essential resources never reach the most vulnerable populations.
The lowest-ranked nations in the region include Somalia (11), South Sudan (13), and the Central African Republic (19), where long-term instability has led to a total breakdown of institutional authority.
Global leaders in public integrity
On the global stage, Nordic nations continue to set the standard for clean governance. Denmark holds the top spot as the world’s least corrupt country with a score of 90, followed closely by Finland (88) and Norway (87).
Other major economies like Germany (79) and Canada (75) also maintained strong reputations for integrity, despite facing some internal challenges.
The world’s most corrupt nations
At the bottom of the rankings are countries facing severe internal crises where the absence of a stable government allows corruption to flourish unchecked. These include Somalia (11), South Sudan (13), Syria (14), Venezuela (14), and Yemen (16).
In these territories, civil unrest and institutional collapse have created an environment of absolute impunity for corrupt actors.
The findings from Transparency International emphasize the critical need for stronger anti-corruption frameworks. For Mali, this requires updating legal statutes, ensuring the judiciary remains independent, and providing better safeguards for whistleblowers.
Without meaningful reform, corruption will continue to erode institutions and widen the gap between the government and its people. The report calls for both local and international cooperation to combat a plague that threatens the political stability and economic future of the nation.
