Malawi Rises in Global Corruption Ranking Despite Persistent Challenges
Despite the advancement, the global anti-corruption coalition's findings indicate Malawi remains among 148 countries that have shown little progress or worsened since 2012.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi improved its position in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perception Index, moving to 107th place from 115th in 2023, according to a new report released Friday, writes Benson Kamonjola.
Despite the advancement, the global anti-corruption coalition's findings indicate Malawi remains among 148 countries that have shown little progress or worsened since 2012.
Only 32 nations have significantly reduced corruption levels during this period.
The report, released on Wednesday this week, highlights corruption as a major factor in climate change, with misappropriation of funds intended for emissions reduction and protecting vulnerable populations.
"Huge number of people around the world suffer severe consequences of global heating, as funds intended to help countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable populations are stolen or misused," the report states.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to record the lowest scores globally in anti-corruption efforts, though some countries have shown improvement.
Transparency International Chairperson François Valérian emphasised the need for sustained action: "The dangerous trends revealed in this year's Corruption Perceptions Index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption."
Willy Kambwandira, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Concern and Transparency (CSAT), attributes Malawi's slow progress to political interference with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
"The ACB is failing to discharge its duties properly due to political interference, something fuelling corruption in the country," Kambwandira said.
He urged the bureau to work diligently to help the nation overcome corruption.