Top 10 African countries with the lowest business bribery risks

Corruption is one of the biggest headaches for companies worldwide because it messes with competition, inflates costs, and makes trust hard to come by. Whether you are a big corporation or a small business, the risk of bribery looms as you try to grow and stay afloat.

In Africa, this challenge takes on a complex character. The continent, rich in resources and home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, presents vast opportunities for businesses. But it is also where the risk of business bribery is notably high due to weaker institutional oversight.

This creates a delicate balance between seizing opportunities and navigating the ethical and legal pitfalls.

The TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix, which evaluates business bribery risks globally, provides insights into how various African countries perform regarding business bribery.

This report assesses 194 jurisdictions, territories, and regions, giving each a risk score based on four key areas: Business Interactions with Government, Anti-Bribery Deterrence and Enforcement, Government and Civil Service Transparency, and Capacity for Civil Society Oversight, including media involvement. The overall country risk score is a combined and weighted measure of these domains.

“The business community plays a central role in the effort to reduce corruption,” TRACE President Alexandra Wrage said. “By maintaining high ethical standards in their direct engagement with civil servants and government leaders, multinational companies can help countries improve governance. Companies, however, need to understand the sources and multifaceted character of corruption to better target risk.”

In Africa, Seychelles tops the list with the lowest bribery risk, scoring 36 and ranking 44th globally. South Africa follows with a score of 39, placing 56th worldwide, while the Cape Verde is next with a score of 49, ranking 62nd globally.