Rwanda has recorded its strongest performance yet in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), scoring 58 percent in the 2025 rankings released on Monday by Transparency International (TI).
The latest results place Rwanda third in Sub-Saharan Africa, first in East Africa, and 41st globally out of 182 countries and territories assessed — an improvement from 43rd place in 2024.
Rwanda now shares the third position in Africa with Botswana, both scoring 58 percent. Seychelles leads the continent with a score of 68 percent, followed by Cabo Verde at 62 percent.
In East Africa, Rwanda remains the top-ranked country, ahead of Tanzania (84th globally with 40 percent), Kenya (130th with 30 percent), Uganda (148th with 25 percent), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (163rd with 20 percent), and Burundi (167th with 17 percent).
Four Years of Consistent Improvement
Rwanda’s 2025 score marks the country’s fourth consecutive year of improvement on the CPI, rising from 51 percent in 2022, to 53 percent in 2023, 57 percent in 2024, and now 58 percent in 2025. This represents both Rwanda’s highest score and best global ranking since the index was launched.
Previously, Rwanda’s best CPI scores were 54 percent in 2015, 2016 and 2020, while its highest rankings were 43rd in 2015 and 2024.
Apollinaire Mupiganyi, Executive Director of Transparency International Rwanda and a member of the TI Board, said the upward trend reflects sustained reforms and strong institutional discipline.
“Rwanda’s steady rise over four consecutive years sends a powerful signal that consistent reforms, political commitment and accountability can deliver results,” Mupiganyi said. “However, this milestone should not lead to complacency. It is a call to strengthen integrity systems further and ensure that progress is felt by citizens in their everyday interactions with public services.”
What Drove Rwanda’s CPI Score
Rwanda’s CPI 2025 score is based on data from seven international sources, including the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey, where the country scored 73 percent, up from 69 percent in 2024.
Other contributing sources include the African Development Bank CPIA (69 percent), the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index (60 percent), Global Insights Country Risk Ratings (59 percent), World Bank CPIA (51 percent), Bertelsmann Transformation Index (47 percent), and the Varieties of Democracy Project (46 percent).
Sub-Saharan Africa Still Struggles
Despite Rwanda’s progress, Transparency International noted that corruption remains a serious challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa. The region recorded an average score of 32 percent, making it the lowest-performing region globally.
Only four of the 49 countries in the region scored above 50 percent, while ten countries have seen significant declines since 2012. Over the same period, only seven countries — including Rwanda — have recorded notable improvements.
Global Decline Raises Alarm
At the global level, the CPI 2025 shows a worrying decline in anti-corruption performance, even among long-established democracies. The number of countries scoring above 80 has dropped from 12 a decade ago to just five in 2025.
Countries such as the United States (64), Canada (75), New Zealand (81), the United Kingdom (70), France (66), and Sweden (80) have all recorded declining or stagnating scores.
Transparency International also highlighted shrinking civic space as a key driver of rising corruption. Since 2012, 36 of the 50 countries with the steepest CPI declines have also experienced restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
The 2025 CPI further noted a surge in anti-corruption protests led by young people, particularly in countries with persistently low scores. In nations such as Nepal and Madagascar, Gen Z-led demonstrations have criticised leaders for corruption, poor governance, and lack of economic opportunity.
Call for Stronger Leadership and Civic Protection
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, warned that weak global leadership is undermining efforts to fight corruption.
“Corruption is not inevitable,” Valérian said. “There is a clear blueprint for accountability — from democratic processes and independent oversight to a free and open civil society. Governments must act with integrity to deliver a better future for their people.”
Transparency International called on governments worldwide to renew political leadership on anti-corruption, protect civic space by safeguarding journalists and whistleblowers, and close secrecy loopholes that allow illicit financial flows.
Mupiganyi said Rwanda’s progress offers an important lesson but also a warning.
“At a time when corruption is rising globally and civic space is shrinking, Rwanda’s upward trajectory shows that progress is possible when institutions are protected,” he said. “But no country is immune. Safeguarding transparency, accountability and citizen oversight is now one of the most urgent global priorities.”
Gabriel UZABAKIRIHO / KIGALI TIMES