Mogadishu, February 10, 2026 – The Transparency Somalia Initiative (TSI) today issued a stark response following the global release of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International. The data confirms that Somalia remains among the world’s most vulnerable nations to corruption, scoring a mere 9 out of 100.
With this score, Somalia remains stagnant at the absolute bottom of the global rankings, tied with South Sudan (9) and closely followed by Venezuela (10). This 2025 result places Somalia 181st out of 182 countries and territories assessed, underscoring a persistent “Accountability Gap” that continues to hinder the nation’s recovery and development.
A Regional Crisis of Integrity
The report highlights that Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-performing region globally, with an average score of only 32 out of 100. Only four out of the 49 countries in the region scored above 50. While some neighbors have shown progress—such as Seychelles (68), Cabo Verde (62), and Rwanda (58)—Somalia’s performance sits significantly below the regional average.
According to Transparency International, the lack of “bold leadership” is weakening international anti-corruption action. In Africa, 10 countries have significantly deteriorated since 2012, while only seven have improved, highlighting that current efforts are not yielding the expected results.
TSI’s Concerns: The Implementation Gap
The Transparency Somalia Initiative remains deeply concerned by the “Implementation Gap” in the country’s anti-corruption framework. While Somalia has historically adopted key measures—such as the 2019 Anti-Corruption Law and accession to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)—critical oversight bodies remain dormant.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (IACC), dissolved in October 2022, has yet to be reconstituted. This leaves a massive vacuum in the state’s ability to investigate and prosecute high-level graft, fostering a culture of impunity.
TSI emphasizes that protecting journalists, NGOs, and whistleblowers is essential. Without a free and open civil society to hold power to account, corrupt officials can continue to misuse public funds—impacting the most vulnerable Somali citizens the hardest.
Call to Action
To improve the lives of the Somali people, TSI calls on the Federal Government to:
- Reconstitute the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission with technically qualified and independent members.
- Strengthen Judicial Independence to ensure that corruption cases are prosecuted without political interference.
- Enhance Transparency in Public Procurement to safeguard donor and state resources.
- Protect Civic Space by ensuring that those who expose wrongdoing are shielded from retaliation.
more about the state of Corruption in Somalia, visit: https://transparency.so/the-state-of-corruption-in-somalia/