South Sudan and Somalia Ranked Most Corrupt Nations Globally in 2025 Index
South Sudan and Somalia have been identified as the most corrupt countries in the world, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International. The report, published on Tuesday, February 9, 2026, assessed 182 countries worldwide and highlighted the persistent global threat of corruption driven by weak political will, declining democratic institutions, and poor governance.
African Nations Dominate Top Ten Most Corrupt List
Five African countries feature among the ten most corrupt nations globally, demonstrating a significant regional challenge. Following South Sudan and Somalia at the top of the list, other African nations in the top ten include Libya, Eritrea, and Sudan. The complete ranking of the ten most corrupt countries worldwide is:
- South Sudan
- Somalia
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Libya
- Eritrea
- Sudan
- Nicaragua
- Syria
- North Korea
Transparency International emphasized that corruption remains a major global threat that weakens institutions, deepens poverty, and erodes public trust. The organization warned that without significant reforms and stronger political commitment, these patterns are likely to continue.
Nigeria's Corruption Ranking and Regional Comparisons
Nigeria ranked 142nd in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, remaining below the global average with a score of 26 out of 100. The country shares this position with Cameroon and Guinea, indicating similar corruption challenges across these West African nations. This represents a concerning trend for Nigeria, which previously emerged as the 36th most corrupt country globally in the 2024 index alongside Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon.
At a recent event in Abuja, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, a Catholic cleric and former Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, criticized Nigeria's political leadership recruitment system. Despite the existence of multiple anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC, Ehusani argued that Nigeria continues to lag behind countries without such specialized institutions. Other speakers at the event called for adaptive leadership and comprehensive reforms to address systemic corruption.
Least Corrupt Nations and African Leaders in Transparency
On the positive side, Denmark was ranked as the least corrupt country in the world, followed by Finland and Singapore. Within Africa, Seychelles leads as the least corrupt nation on the continent, followed by Cape Verde, Botswana, and Rwanda. These countries demonstrate that progress against corruption is possible with strong institutions and political will.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan face significant challenges in addressing corruption within their nations. Transparency International's report suggests that both leaders have considerable work ahead to improve governance and move their countries away from the top of the corruption rankings.
The 2025 CPI reveals that the list of top ten corruption-free nations is dominated largely by European countries, highlighting regional disparities in governance effectiveness. The continued presence of multiple African nations among the most corrupt countries underscores the urgent need for comprehensive anti-corruption reforms across the continent.
