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A new report by Transparency International, released on February 11, 2025, highlighted how systemic corruption in sub-Saharan Africa undermines climate action. Titled 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index: Corruption is Playing a Devastating Role in the Climate Crisis, the report reveals that weak anti-corruption measures hinder efforts to mitigate climate change.
African nations urgently need substantial climate finance to implement their nationally determined contributions (NDC) — climate action plans submitted to the United Nations. However, corruption, including misappropriation, theft and misallocation of funds, poses a significant threat to these efforts, the analysis illustrated.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) underscored that corruption is a global challenge obstructing effective climate action. CPI ranks 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
The highest-scoring sub-Saharan African countries are Seychelles (72), Cabo Verde (62), Botswana (57) and Rwanda (57). Notable improvements include Ivory Coast (45), up 10 points since 2019 and Tanzania (41), up 10 points since 2014. Conversely, Lesotho (37) dropped 12 points since 2014, while Eswatini (27) fell by 16 points.
Countries most affected by climate change, such as Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan, also ranked among the most corrupt, the authors of the study pointed out. In Somalia, climate change has devastated agriculture and exacerbated a 30-year-long conflict.
Corruption weakens governance, undermines law enforcement and diverts crucial climate funds meant to reduce emissions and enhance resilience, the researchers noted in the report. In nations with high corruption levels, environmental decision-making lacks transparency, leading to unfair policies and environmental destruction.
Libya, for example, faces extreme heat, declining rainfall, rising sea levels and prolonged droughts. Corruption and the absence of a cohesive adaptation strategy have worsened the situation. On September 10, 2023, Hurricane Daniel devastated Derna, causing two dams to collapse — an incident linked to corruption and poor infrastructure maintenance.
In Eswatini, unauthorised government spending and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s inaction continue to hinder anti-corruption efforts, the report stated. Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, but securing climate finance remains a challenge due to governance failures.
South Africa, the first country to sign a just energy transition partnership deal, will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit this year. However, corruption concerns persist.
The former chief executive of Eskom, a South African electricity public utility, alleged that over a billion rand ($56 million) is stolen monthly from the state-owned energy provider, raising doubts about the government's ability to combat climate-related corruption.
According to the report, corruption correlates with weaker environmental policies and inadequate environmental protection. In Zambia, corrupt networks, including senior government officials, facilitated illicit trade in Mukula wood, a protected rosewood species. This illegal trade generated an estimated $7.5 million annually in bribes and informal fees.
Moreover, corruption makes it dangerous for environmental activists to speak out. Land and environmental defenders, often at the forefront of climate advocacy, face violence, intimidation and even murder in highly corrupt countries, the report highlighted.
In 2023, two environmental defenders were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one in Rwanda and one in Ghana, according to the researchers. Between 2012 and 2023, 116 environmental defenders were murdered in Africa, most of them park rangers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they added.
Urgent action is needed worldwide to root out corruption that undermines climate action through theft, misuse of funds and undue influence, said Maira Martini, chief executive of Transparency International.
“Governments and multilateral organisations must embed anti-corruption measures in climate efforts to protect funding and rebuild trust,” she added.
Some African nations have made notable strides in tackling corruption, according to the report. Seychelles has prosecuted high-profile cases, improved inter-agency information exchange, and was removed from the EU blacklist for non-compliance. The country has also been recognised for innovative approaches to reducing emissions, including circular economy initiatives and greater civic participation.
Tanzania has gained 10 points on the CPI since 2014, reflecting stronger anti-corruption enforcement. High-ranking officials suspected of corruption are now swiftly removed from office and a specialised court has been established to prosecute corruption and economic crimes.
At COP29, wealthier nations pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 to help vulnerable countries combat climate change. However, ensuring these funds reach their intended purpose will require robust anti-corruption frameworks to safeguard both people and the environment, the authors of the report reminded.
