Liberia Inches Forward On Corruption -CENTAL Urges Bold Institutional Reforms

MONROVIA – Liberia has recorded a modest improvement in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), gaining one point over the previous year. While the incremental rise suggests some forward movement under the current administration, the country remains among the world’s most significant long-term decliners since 2012. The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), the national chapter of Transparency International, says the marginal progress should not obscure deep structural weaknesses in governance, weak enforcement mechanisms, and persistent impunity. According to CENTAL, without decisive institutional reforms, Liberia risks remaining trapped in a cycle of stagnation masked by symbolic numerical gains. THE ANALYST reports.

The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has released findings from the 31st edition of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025, underscoring what it describes as “marginal progress” amid continued structural governance concerns.

The CPI, first launched in 1995, measures perceived levels of public sector corruption across countries worldwide. Scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), based on expert and business executive assessments.

In 2025, 182 countries were evaluated using 13 credible data sources capturing perceptions of bribery, diversion of public funds, procurement irregularities, abuse of office, nepotism, state capture, and the strength of anti-corruption frameworks.

Liberia’s Performance

Liberia scored 28 out of 100 in the 2025 report, ranking 136 out of 182 countries. This reflects a one-point increase from its 2024 score of 27. In 2024, Liberia had improved by two points.

CENTAL acknowledged the incremental rise under the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, noting that it represents the second consecutive year of upward movement.

However, the organization cautioned that the gain remains fragile and insufficient.

Since 2012, Liberia has dropped 13 points overall—nine during the latter years of the Sirleaf administration and seven under the George Weah administration—placing the country among the world’s notable long-term decliners.

Despite the recent improvement, CENTAL expressed deep concern about persistent high levels of impunity, underfunding of integrity institutions, weak enforcement of asset declaration laws, and failure to fully investigate and prosecute sanctioned or corruption-accused former officials.

The organization also cited concerns about the recent appointment process at the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, describing it as contrary to transparent and competitive procedures.

Regional Overview

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-scoring region globally, with an average score of 32. Seychelles (68), Cabo Verde (62), Botswana (58), and Rwanda (57) lead the region.

Countries registering improvements include Côte d’Ivoire (43), Tanzania (40), and Seychelles (72). However, Lesotho (37), Eswatini (27), and Liberia (28) experienced sharp long-term declines.

CENTAL noted that systemic corruption in the region continues to undermine democratic institutions, civic space, press freedom, and oversight mechanisms.

Global Highlights

Globally, the CPI average stands at 42—the lowest in over a decade. Western Europe and the European Union top the rankings with an average of 64.

For the eighth consecutive year, Denmark ranks highest with 89, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). Countries scoring lowest include South Sudan (9), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10), where repression and instability are widespread.

More than two-thirds of countries—122 out of 182—score below 50, reflecting pervasive global governance weaknesses.

Recommendations

CENTAL emphasized that Liberia must accelerate anti-corruption efforts rather than slow them. The organization recommended: Establishing a specialized anti-corruption court, strengthening oversight of state-owned enterprises, enhancing transparency in budget allocation and spending, fully financing anti-graft institutions, addressing corruption within the judiciary, and strengthening legislative oversight, expanding civil society participation in governance decisions

CENTAL further encouraged citizens, journalists, activists, and civil society organizations to continue demanding accountability.

The organization specifically called on President Joseph N. Boakai, Speaker Richard N. Koon, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, and Chief Justice Yamie Q. Gbeisay to exercise collective leadership in strengthening Liberia’s anti-corruption framework.