Top 5 countries in Africa with a low bribery index [2020]

Bribery and corruption have eaten deep in Africa, but not all the countries in Africa. Some African countries still maintained a low profile in crime in their government. Here is an overview of the top five countries.

The TRACE Anti-Bribery Standards Organisation has this year released a Bribery Risk Matrix which measures the risk of bribery in business in 194 countries, territories, autonomous and semi-autonomous regions. According to data for 2020, North Korea, Turkmenistan, South Sudan, Venezuela and Eritrea have the highest commercial bribery risk, while Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand have the lowest.

The assessment is based on four factors: business engagement with government, bribery deterrence and law enforcement, transparency of government and civil service, and the ability of civil society to exercise oversight, including the role of the media.

Every country is assigned a score of 1 to 100 for each domain and overall bribery risk. A higher grade indicates a higher risk of bribery in business. Whether a given part is “good” or “bad” is assessed against all other jurisdictions within that domain.

Top five African countries least likely to bribes the government officials.

5. South Africa

South Africa is the second-largest economy in Africa. Overall, it ranked 61st but fifth in Africa with a bribery risk indicator of 41st. For the factors used to assess countries, it scored 51 Anti-Bribery Deterrence and Coercion based on the average quality of Anti-Bribery Deterrence and high quality of Anti-Bribery coercion.

South Africa received an average score of 60 on anti-bribery deterrence and enforcement based on the low quality of anti-bribery deterrence and anti-bribery enforcement’s average quality. In terms of government and civil service transparency, South Africa scored a good 29, based on good government transparency and good transparency of financial interests.

However, it did get good marks for its ability to oversee civil society. The nation received a good score of 24 in this area based on the average freedom/quality of the media and the high degree of civil society engagement.

4. Namibia

In overall position, Namibia scored 58th (and fourth place in Africa) with a bribery risk indicator of 41. It was ranked 44th for business engagement with the government due to its low level of government engagement, average bribery expectations, and low regulatory burden.

It scored 51 on anti-bribery, deterrence, and coercion based on average quality in anti-bribery, deterrence, and high-quality anti-bribery performance.

In terms of government and public service transparency, it scored 43 points due to the average government transparency and average transparency of financial interests.

At the same time, it received good marks for its ability to supervise from civil society. The country received a good score of 27 in this area based on the media’s average freedom/quality and the high degree of civil society involvement.

3. Tunisia

Tunisia was ranked 55th (and third in Africa) with an overall risk indicator of 40. In terms of business engagement with government, the North African country scored 42 points based on the average degree of engagement with government, low bribery expectations, and average regulatory burden.

However, it scored 50 on anti-bribery, deterrence, and coercion based on high-quality anti-bribery, deterrence, and high-quality performance in the fight against bribery. Tunisia scored an average of 46 points for transparency in the public and civil service. It was based on average government transparency and good transparency of financial interests.

In terms of strengthening civil society oversight capacity, Tunisia received a good score of 24 in this area, based on the media’s average freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society involvement.

2. Botswana

Botswana was ranked 53rd and second in Africa with a total score of 39 points. In terms of business engagement with government, the African country scored 43 points based on average government engagement, low bribery expectations, and average regulatory burden.

However, it scored 29 points on anti-bribery deterrence and enforcement based on high-quality anti-bribery deterrence and high-quality anti-bribery enforcement. Botswana scored an average of 49 points for transparency in the civil service. It was based on average government transparency and good transparency of financial interests.

In terms of strengthening civil society oversight capacity, Botswana received a good score of 28 in this area, based on the media’s average freedom/quality and a high degree of civil society engagement.

1. Mauritius

Mauritius was ranked 44th in the world with a total score of 35, in fact, first place in Africa. In terms of the parameter used to measure the risk of bribery, it was ranked 34th in business-government engagement due to its low level of engagement with government, average bribery expectations, and low regulatory burden.

Mauritius scored 38th on anti-bribery, deterrence, and coercion based on average quality in anti-bribery, deterrence, and high quality in anti-bribery performance. In terms of government and public service transparency, it scored 42 points due to the government’s average transparency and the average transparency of financial interests.

At the same time, it received good marks for its ability to supervise from civil society. Mauritius received a good score of 28 in this area, based on the media’s average freedom/quality and the high degree of civil society involvement.