DRC Remains Among Most Corrupt Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kinshasa, February 10, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to rank among the worst-performing countries globally in terms of perceived corruption, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International. With a score of 20 out of 100, the DRC remains at the bottom of the global ranking, reflecting persistent challenges in governance and public accountability. Sub-Saharan Africa, as a region, also performs poorly, with a regional average of 32 points. Only four of the 49 countries assessed scored above 50. Transparency International notes that, since 2012, ten countries in the region have seen significant deterioration in corruption perception, while only seven improved, illustrating the ineffectiveness of anti-corruption efforts. The DRC remains stagnant, with no notable improvement in recent years. The NGO highlights the human impact of corruption, stating that it hinders access to essential services and affects the most vulnerable populations the hardest. It calls on governments to implement strong measures to fight corruption and strengthen democratic governance. Regional comparisons include: Angola, score 32, improved 17 points since 2015 but still ranks low Mozambique, lost 10 points over the past decade Seychelles, top regional performer with 68 points, facing judicial delays in a money laundering case Lowest scores: Sudan (14), Eritrea (13), Somalia (9), South Sudan (9) “Corruption in the public sector always hits the most vulnerable people the hardest,” said Paul Banoba, Regional Advisor for Africa at Transparency International. He urged African governments to translate commitments into decisive action, including strengthening oversight institutions, enhancing transparency, and protecting civic space.