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By Christophe Uwizeyimana
Kigali, February 10, 2026 — Rwanda has reached its highest-ever score and best global ranking in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading performers in the fight against corruption, according to a report released today by Transparency International (TI).
Rwanda scored 58 percent, up from 57 percent in 2024, placing the country 41st globally out of 182 countries, an improvement from 43rd place last year. This milestone confirms Rwanda’s four consecutive years of steady progress, rising from 51 percent in 2022, 53 percent in 2023, 57 percent in 2024, to 58 percent in 2025.
With this result, Rwanda maintains its leadership position in East Africa and remains third in Sub-Saharan Africa, jointly ranking with Botswana. Only Seychelles (68 percent) and Cabo Verde (62 percent) scored higher on the continent.
East Africa: Rwanda Leads by a Wide Margin
In the East African region, Rwanda continues to outperform its neighbours, with Tanzania ranking second at 40 percent (84th globally), followed by Kenya (30 percent, 130th), Uganda (25 percent, 148th), Democratic Republic of the Congo (20 percent, 163rd), and Burundi (17 percent, 167th).
Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) says the results highlight the country’s sustained commitment to institutional reforms, accountability, and good governance.
A Four-Year Upward Trend
The 2025 results represent Rwanda’s strongest performance since the CPI was launched in 1995, surpassing its previous best score of 57 percent recorded in 2024 and earlier highs of 56 percent in 2018 and 54 percent in 2015, 2016, and 2020.
Speaking during the release, Apollinaire Mupiganyi, Executive Director of TI-Rwanda and member of the TI Board, praised the country’s progress while urging continued vigilance.
“Rwanda’s steady rise in the CPI over four consecutive years sends a powerful signal that sustained reforms, political commitment, and institutional discipline can deliver real results,” Mupiganyi said.
“However, reaching its highest score ever is not a moment for complacency, but a call to consolidate integrity systems, close remaining gaps, and ensure that progress is felt by citizens in their daily interactions with public services.”
What Drives Rwanda’s CPI Performance?
Rwanda’s CPI 2025 score is based on assessments from seven independent international sources, including:
- World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey – 73%
- African Development Bank CPIA – 69%
- World Justice Project Rule of Law Index – 60%
- Global Insights Country Risk Ratings – 59%
- World Bank CPIA – 51%
- Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index – 47%
- Varieties of Democracy Project – 46%
These indicators measure perceptions of public-sector corruption, rule of law, governance quality, and institutional accountability.
Sub-Saharan Africa Still Struggling
Despite Rwanda’s success, the CPI 2025 paints a grim picture for Sub-Saharan Africa, which remains the lowest-performing region globally, with an average score of just 32 percent. Only four of the region’s 49 countries scored above 50.
According to TI, corruption continues to undermine development, weaken public trust, and block access to essential services across much of the continent.
Global Outlook: Corruption Rising Worldwide
Globally, corruption is worsening, even among traditionally strong democracies. The global average score has fallen to 42, its lowest in more than a decade.
Transparency International reports a decline in leadership and democratic accountability, with worrying drops in scores recorded in countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and New Zealand.
TI Chair François Valérian warned that weakening global leadership is eroding anti-corruption efforts worldwide.
“Corruption is not inevitable. There is a clear blueprint for accountability, transparency, and democratic governance. Governments must act with integrity and deliver a better future for their citizens,” he said.
Youth-Led Protests and Shrinking Civic Space
The 2025 CPI also highlights the rise of youth-led anti-corruption protests, especially in countries where corruption has remained high or worsened. Young people in countries such as Nepal and Madagascar have taken to the streets demanding accountability, transparency, and better public services.
Meanwhile, shrinking civic space through restrictions on journalists, civil society organizations, and whistleblowers continues to undermine anti-corruption efforts globally.
A Call for Renewed Action
Transparency International urges governments to:
- Strengthen political leadership and enforce anti-corruption laws
- Protect journalists, civil society, and whistleblowers
- Close financial secrecy loopholes
- Promote transparency and accountability
Rwanda’s record-breaking performance in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index stands as a powerful testament to the impact of sustained reforms, strong political commitment, and institutional accountability. As corruption continues to rise globally and civic space shrinks in many parts of the world, Rwanda’s steady progress sends a clear message that determined leadership, transparent governance, and citizen-centered accountability can deliver tangible results. However, sustaining these gains will require continued vigilance, deeper reforms, and active public engagement to ensure that integrity is not only reflected in global rankings but also experienced by citizens in their daily interactions with public institutions.
