By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Officer, ACC
Sierra Leone has recorded an encouraging milestone in its fight against corruption, ranking 15th among 53 African countries on the 2024 V-Dem Political Corruption Index. The country recorded a Political Corruption score of 0.495, improving from 0.478 in 2023. The result places Sierra Leone in the continent's upper half, reflecting an encouraging movement in its governance and accountability trajectory.
Developed by the internationally respected Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Project and published through The Global Economy, the Political Corruption Index measures the extent to which political power is abused for private or particularistic gain. It provides an important independent lens through which the integrity of political institutions, public authority and accountability systems can be assessed.
The significance of Sierra Leone's performance becomes clearer when viewed alongside other international assessments. The 2025 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index gives Sierra Leone a score of 34, placing the country 109th out of 182 countries. Sierra Leone has also passed the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Control of Corruption Indicator for eight consecutive years, recording scores above 70 percent and peaking at 83 percent.
The 2024 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance provides another important perspective. Sierra Leone was among Africa's top ten most improved countries in overall governance over the 2014–2023 period, while its Anti-Corruption Mechanisms score placed it 7th out of 54 African countries.
These assessments employ different methodologies and should not be conflated. Yet their collective message is encouraging: Sierra Leone's governance and anti-corruption reforms are producing measurable gains.
Since 2018, a more comprehensive response to corruption has been pursued within the broader framework of His Excellency Brigadier Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio's Democratic War on Corruption championed by the visionary and stouthearted leadership of Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq.
The response has extended beyond prosecution to stronger enforcement of the Anti-Corruption Act, enhanced asset declaration and verification, digital innovations, corruption prevention, Integrity Management Committees, public education, citizen engagement, asset tracing and recovery, and stronger institutional partnerships.
The fight against corruption continues to evolve, and those who seek to exploit public resources equally continue to adapt. Institutions must therefore adapt even faster. Thus, the gains being recorded should inspire greater commitment and not complacency.
The latest evidence offers reason for optimism, but also a reminder that the fight must continue. Ultimately, the goal is not simply a better ranking, but a better Sierra Leone - one where public resources serve the public, institutions command trust, public office is understood as a public trust, and integrity is not merely encouraged, but expected.
The numbers may measure the progress, but the real victory will be felt in the lives of Sierra Leoneans. And that is why the fight against corruption must continue, forward, fearlessly, fairly and collectively.
