Some 20 African countries improved their CPI scores compared to the previous year, with Cte dIvoire being the most significant improver by points gained, followed by Rwanda, according to the 2024 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index CPI. However, scores dropped in 22 countries. South Africas ranking of 82 was unchanged. In their analysis of the results, Transparency International regional advisers for Africa, Paul Banoba, Robert Mwanyumba and Samuel Kaninda, state that the continents best performers include Seychelles ranked 18th globally, Cabo Verde 35th, Botswana 43rd and Rwanda 53rd. Seychelles has improved its CPI score by 20 points since 2012. The lowest scorers declined further on the CPI released in February. They were Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea joint 173rd globally, Somalia 179th and South Sudan, last globally in 180th position. In the Southern African Development Community SADC, Lesotho 99th has dropped 12 points over the past decade, due to government crackdowns on civil society and journalists. Fighting corruption has become particularly difficult due to an opaque appointment process for judges and a high backlog of cases, according to the report. Neighbouring Eswatini 135th has declined by 16 points over the past decade. A February report by the Public Accounts Committee showed numerous unauthorised expenditures in the national budget by various ministries and no response from the Anti-Corruption Commission, they state. Leading SADC countries are Botswana 43rd, Mauritius 56th, and Namibia 59th, which have maintained their relatively high CPI scores by maintaining robust legal frameworks, civil society engagement, and transparent governance practices. On the rest of the continent, Cte dIvoire 69th has been singled out for gaining 10 points since 2019. This is due to a number of legal and institutional reforms implemented by the administration of President Alassane Ouattara to promote transparency and accountability and strengthen the fight against economic and financial crime. Tanzania 82nd has gained 10 points since 2014, due to high-level public officials suspected of corruption being immediately relieved of their duties, followed by police investigations. A specialised court has been set up to hear cases of corruption and economic crime. There is reason for hope in Gabon and Liberia both 135th, which have recorded 10-point declines since 2014. A 2023 coup ended 56 years of single-family rule in Gabon. Transitional president Brice Oligui Nugema has committed to anti-corruption efforts, including reinstating the Commission on Public Procurement Processes, after audits revealed overcharging. Liberian President Joseph Boakai, who took office in January 2024, provided a public assets declaration and initiated audits of key state institutions, including the central bank. ER
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The facility aims to run three trains daily between Estcourt and the Port of Durban in the near future.
