By: Usman Fambuleh
Sierra Leone is witnessing a shift in its fight against corruption. A fight that has long shaped public trust, governance, and national development. Recent recognition from Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025 has offered fresh evidence that progress is being made. More importantly, it has sparked a renewed national conversation about integrity, accountability, and the role of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
According to the CPI 2025, Sierra Leone moved from 114th position in 2024 to 109th out of 182 countries surveyed. The country’s score also improved from 33 to 34. While this may appear to be a small numerical change, experts and governance observers understand that such movement on the CPI scale is significant. It reflects a broader perception that corruption levels are gradually declining and that anti-corruption efforts are being noticed both at home and internationally.
Transparency International’s CPI is not based on guesswork. It is compiled using assessments and surveys from respected institutions that measure perceived levels of public sector corruption. Therefore, an upward movement suggests that professionals, analysts, and business leaders are recognizing improvements in Sierra Leone’s governance environment.
The Anti-Corruption Commission deserves careful attention in this progress story. Over the years, the ACC has expanded its operations, sharpened its investigative processes, and strengthened public engagement. Its work has moved beyond simply reacting to corruption cases. Today, the Commission is increasingly focused on prevention, systems reform, and public education.
In its official press release, the ACC described the CPI improvement as a reflection of “significant progress” in the country’s anti-corruption drive. The Commission highlighted that Sierra Leone now leads seventy-three countries globally, including thirty African nations. It also pointed out that Sierra Leone’s 2025 score of 34 stands above the Sub-Saharan African regional average of 32.
This achievement did not happen overnight. It is the result of consistent efforts, policy reforms, enforcement actions, and growing public awareness. In the last seven years, Sierra Leone has moved twenty-one places on the CPI ranking from 130th in 2017 to 109th in 2025. This steady climb suggests that anti-corruption measures are becoming more structured and sustained.
President Julius Maada Bio’s public response further reinforced the importance of this development. In his statement, the President described the CPI ranking as a demonstration of Sierra Leone’s “increased efforts to combat corruption.” He emphasized that the country’s improved position reflects a decrease in corruption levels. Importantly, he commended the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, and the entire team for what he called “remarkable progress.”
Such recognition from the Head of State carries weight. It signals political support for anti-corruption reforms and strengthens the credibility of the Commission’s work. When leadership openly acknowledges progress in transparency and accountability, it encourages institutions to remain committed and citizens to remain engaged.
The ACC’s approach has increasingly focused on three key pillars:
- Enforcement and Investigations
The Commission has pursued high-profile investigations, demonstrating that corruption cases can be addressed regardless of status or position. This has helped challenge the long-held belief that powerful individuals are beyond accountability.
- Prevention and Systems Reform
Beyond prosecution, the ACC has worked with ministries, departments, and agencies to close loopholes that enable corruption. By improving procurement systems, financial controls, and administrative procedures, the Commission is helping prevent corruption before it occurs.
- Public Education and Engagement
Fighting corruption is not only a legal process; it is also a cultural one. The ACC’s outreach campaigns, media programs, and community engagement activities aim to build a national mindset that rejects corruption. Citizens are being encouraged to report wrongdoing, demand accountability, and protect public resources.
The CPI improvement also connects to Sierra Leone’s performance in other governance indicators. The ACC press release recalled the country’s strong record in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard, particularly in the “Control of Corruption” category, where Sierra Leone reportedly achieved excellent scores above 70% for eight consecutive years.
While progress is encouraging, challenges remain. Corruption is deeply rooted in many systems, and no single ranking can capture the full reality on the ground. Many Sierra Leoneans still face difficulties linked to bribery, misuse of public funds, and weak service delivery. Therefore, the CPI results should not be seen as a final victory but as evidence that positive change is possible and ongoing.
For citizens, this moment offers both reassurance and responsibility. Reassurance that efforts to promote integrity are producing results. Responsibility to support these efforts by rejecting corrupt practices, reporting misconduct, and holding leaders accountable.
For institutions, it is a reminder that reforms matter. Transparency, ethical leadership, and strong enforcement mechanisms can gradually shift perceptions and realities.
For the Anti-Corruption Commission, the CPI 2025 recognition is both an achievement and a call to deepen its work. Sustaining progress will require continued independence, professionalism, and public trust.
Sierra Leone’s rise in the CPI ranking may be measured in numbers, but its true meaning lies in something larger: the hope that public resources will be protected, that governance will be fairer, and that integrity will become a shared national value.
The fight against corruption is far from over. But the direction of movement steady, visible, and internationally recognized suggests that Sierra Leone is not standing still.
