Is it True that Kenya and Nigeria are the Least Corrupt Countries in Africa?

On October 12, 2024, a startling claim erupted on social media. It began on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. An X user,  @wesley_kibande proclaimed that: “Kenya and Nigeria have been ranked as the least corrupt countries in Africa.” Accompanying this bold assertion was an image of Kenyan President William Ruto and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, each standing proudly. As expected, this bold claim set off a ton of responses.

Could this be true, many asked? Are the two African countries perceived by many to have very corrupt systems finally turning a new leaf? Fact checkers went to work and consulted the biggest authority on corruption perception in the world, Transparency International.

An examination of the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from Transparency International cast a harsh light on the darker reality of both nations. Nigeria ranked a disheartening 145th out of 180 countries, while Kenya stood at 126th.

The CPI measures public sector corruption perceptions, scoring nations from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).The figures were sobering: Nigeria scored just 25, with an average of 21 over nearly three decades. Kenya, only slightly better, achieved 31, with an average of 24.

Transparency International ranked Somalia as the most corrupt country in Africa with a score of 11 while Seychelles was named the least corrupt country on the continent, scoring 71. Nigeria and Kenya have at no time scored up to 50 – the mid-point of the index.

So, what’s the conclusion?The assertion made by @wesley_kibande is not just misleading; it’s a mirage, obscuring the persistent issues these nations face.The claim that Kenya and Nigeria are the least corrupt countries in Africa is FALSE. Transparency International’s data places both nations far from the top in global rankings, reflecting ongoing issues with corruption.