Mali drops in global corruption rankings for 2025

The latest 2025 report from Transparency International indicates a decline for Mali in the global Corruption Perceptions Index. The nation has fallen from 135th to 136th position worldwide. This shift places Mali behind its regional partners in the AES confederation, specifically Niger and Burkina Faso.

The index serves as a global benchmark for measuring efforts against graft. In the 2025 assessment, which covered 182 countries, Mali earned a score of 28/100, resulting in a one-spot drop from its previous standing. This downward trend persists despite various measures implemented by the authorities to combat financial malpractice across the country.

Challenges in governance and transparency

Ibrahim Harouna Touré, regional coordinator for the Observatory for Human Rights and Peace in Gao, suggests that these results reflect deep-seated issues in national administration. He highlighted a lack of public discourse and critical oversight regarding major state initiatives. “There is no real debate or contradiction surrounding large-scale government projects. Accountability is missing in the public procurement process,” he remarked.

The civil society advocate further noted that leaders of various institutions are failing to provide adequate reports to the public. Touré expressed concern over what appears to be a lack of oversight, stating that institutions often seem to manage public funds without sufficient external control.

According to his analysis, these deficiencies in transparency and the failure of officials to remain accountable to the citizens are the primary drivers behind the ongoing prevalence of corruption in Mali.