Liberia has recorded a marginal improvement in the 2025 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), advancing by one percentage point from the previous year, according to findings released by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL).
The West African nation scored 28 percent, up from 27 percent in 2024, and is ranked 136 out of 182 countries assessed in the latest CPI published by Transparency International. While the improvement marks the second consecutive year of incremental progress, CENTAL cautioned that the gains remain insufficient to reverse Liberia’s long-term decline in anti-corruption performance.
The CPI measures perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale from 0 percent (highly corrupt) to 100 percent (very clean), based on assessments by experts and business executives.
The 2025 index draws on 13 independent data sources evaluating practices such as bribery, diversion of public funds, abuse of office, procurement irregularities, nepotism, and the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions.
CENTAL noted that despite the one-point increase under the Boakai-Koung administration, Liberia remains among the world’s worst long-term decliners, having lost 13 percentage points since 2012. Of that decline, nine points occurred during the Sirleaf administration, while seven points were lost under former President George Weah.
“While the latest score reflects marginal progress, it should not be a basis for complacency,” CENTAL warned, noting that impunity for corruption remains high, integrity institutions continue to be underfunded, and the asset declaration regime has yet to demonstrate meaningful impact.
The organization also raised concerns over the lack of prosecution of sanctioned former officials and criticized what it described as a non-transparent appointment process at the Independent National Commission on Human Rights.
Regional and Global Context
Liberia’s performance reflects broader regional challenges.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-scoring region globally, with an average score of 32 percent, compared to the global average of 42 percent, the lowest level recorded in more than a decade.
Within the region, Seychelles (68 percent), Cabo Verde (62 percent), Botswana (58 percent), and Rwanda (57 percent) emerged as the strongest performers. Liberia, however, was listed among countries with the sharpest long-term declines, alongside Lesotho and Eswatini.
Globally, more than two-thirds of countries assessed, 122 out of 182-scored below 50 percent, indicating widespread failure to effectively control corruption.
Denmark topped the index for the eighth consecutive year with a score of 89 percent, followed by Finland (88 percent) and Singapore (84 percent). Countries at the bottom of the index were largely characterized by instability and restricted civic space, including South Sudan (9 percent), Somalia (9 percent), and Venezuela (10 percent).
Transparency International noted that countries with stronger CPI performance typically exhibit open governance systems, independent judiciaries, free media, and effective legislative oversight, while low-scoring countries are often marked by weak institutions and entrenched corruption.
CENTAL urged the Liberian government to move beyond incremental gains and pursue bold, systemic reforms to significantly improve the country’s CPI standing. Key recommendations include the establishment of a specialized anti-corruption court, increased funding and accountability for anti-graft institutions, strengthened oversight of state-owned enterprises, and reforms to address corruption within the judiciary.
The organization also called for greater transparency in public finance management, stronger legislative oversight, and meaningful participation of civil society and citizens in governance and decision-making processes.
Despite its concerns, CENTAL commended Liberian journalists, activists, and civil society actors for sustaining pressure on governance issues and encouraged continued public engagement to hold national leaders accountable.
The 28 percent score in the 2025 CPI highlights both modest progress and the scale of reforms still required to restore public trust and curb corruption.
