Cameroon Stagnates in Fight Against Corruption, 2025 CPI Shows

By Njoh Linda

Cameroon has made no progress over the past five years in the fight against corruption, remaining among the world’s poorly ranked nations in terms of public sector integrity, the 2025 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has shown.

The country received a score of 26 out of 100, ranking 142 out of 182 countries and territories in terms of transparency.

This score reflects a persistent perception of widespread corruption in public institutions and weak accountability mechanisms.

Notably, Cameroon recorded no change from its previous year’s score, indicating little or no improvements in the fight against corruption in the country.

A Five-Year Trend of Limited Progress

An analysis of Cameroon’s CPI performance over the last five years reveals a troubling lack of improvement. In 2024, the country scored 26/100 and ranked 140th out of 180, marking a slight decline from 2023, when it scored 27/100 and ranked 140th. In 2022, Cameroon returned to 26/100, ranking 142nd, while in 2021 it recorded 25/100, ranking 149th.

Earlier, in 2020, Cameroon had a score of 25/100 and ranked 153rd out of 180 countries, showing that despite minor fluctuations, the country’s overall position has remained weak for more than half a decade.

These figures suggest that Cameroon has failed to implement sustained and effective reforms capable of reducing corruption and strengthening public trust.

Global Context: A Widening Leadership Gap

Globally, the 2025 CPI paints a bleak picture. The index, which ranks 182 countries on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), shows that the global average has dropped to 42, its lowest level in years. More than two-thirds of countries scored below 50, indicating widespread governance challenges.

Transparency International notes that while 31 countries have made significant progress since 2012, many others, including Cameroon, have either stagnated or declined.

The organisation warns of a growing “anti-corruption leadership gap,” marked by weak enforcement, declining political will, and shrinking civic space.

Corruption Impact on Development and Public Welfare

Corruption continues to have serious consequences for Cameroon’s social and economic development. Weak implementation of laws and misuse of public resources contribute to under-funded hospitals, poor infrastructure, inadequate flood defences, and limited opportunities for its young people.

Experts argue that corruption also undermines investor confidence and slows economic growth, further worsening unemployment and poverty levels.

Transparency International highlights that many governments worldwide are restricting civic space, making it risky for journalists, civil society organisations, and citizens to expose wrongdoing. In such environments, corruption is more likely to thrive.

In Cameroon, civil society groups and media organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about limited access to information, intimidation, and legal constraints that hinder investigative reporting and public oversight.

Calls for Stronger Leadership and Reform

Maíra Martini, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International, has called on world leaders to demonstrate integrity and commit to meaningful reforms.

“Our research shows that progress is possible with strong justice systems, effective oversight of public spending, and protection of civic space and media freedom,” she said.

For Cameroon, analysts say reversing the current trend will require bold political leadership, stronger anti-corruption institutions, transparent public procurement systems, and genuine protection for whistleblowers and journalists.

With a consistent score of around 26 over the past five years, Cameroon remains far below the global average and among the countries most affected by corruption. Observers warn that without urgent reforms, the country risks falling further behind in governance standards.

As anti-government protests and public discontent grow in many parts of the world, Cameroonians are increasingly demanding accountability and better management of public resources.