Sierra Leone has recorded a significant reduction in corruption prevalence levels in key institutions, according to the 2022 Afro-Barometer Report released by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) on April 25th, 2023.

The report shows that trust in Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission increased from 43% in 2020 to 52% in 2022, making a nine percentage point jump upwards. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s robust posture on mainstreaming anti-corruption values in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and the functionality of Integrity Management Committees are cited as the reasons for the increase in trust.

The Afro-Barometer Report indicates a remarkable decline in public perceptions of corruption in the Presidency, from 40% in 2012 to 31% in 2022, showing a nine-point upward movement.

The report also shows a decline in corruption in the Judiciary, mainly with Magistrates and Judges, from 50% in 2012 to 34% in 2022, and in Local Councils, mainly Local Government Councilors, from 52% in 2012 to 38% in 2022. However, citizens’ perception of corruption about the Police increased from 69% in 2012 to 71% in 2022, a two-point upward movement.

Sierra Leone has also consistently scored high in other global, regional, and domestic anti-corruption rankings in the last four years. Sierra Leone moved 20 places upwards in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2022, scoring its highest of 34, above the Sub-saharan average, to be positioned at 110, from 130 in 2017.

The Afro-Barometer is a Pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. This Round 9 survey was completed in early 2023 with 1,200 adult citizens of Sierra Leone interviewed.