Mali has experienced a setback in the 2025 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The West African nation slipped from the 135th position to 136th globally, now finding itself behind regional allies Niger and Burkina Faso, members of the AES confederation.
The Corruption Perception Index is a crucial tool for evaluating countries’ efforts in combating corruption. In 2025, a total of 182 nations were assessed. Mali, scoring 28 out of 100, landed at the 136th rank. This marks a one-place decline from its previous 135th standing. This regression occurs despite ongoing initiatives by authorities to tackle corruption within the country.
Ibrahim Harouna Touré, regional coordinator for the Human Rights and Peace Observatory in Gao, suggests that this Transparency International assessment underscores persistent challenges in governance and transparency. He voiced his concern, stating, “There is no open debate, no scrutiny regarding major state projects. Accountability is notably absent in public procurement processes.”
The civil society representative further commented that leaders across various institutions do not adequately report to the public. Ibrahim Harouna Touré added, “One gets the distinct impression of unfettered governance. Each institution appears to manage public funds as it sees fit.”
From his perspective, these significant shortcomings in accountability and transparency largely explain the enduring issue of corruption within Mali.
