Zambia’s Corruption Index Shows Recovery After Years of Decline

Zambia’s standing on the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is showing signs of recovery after nearly a decade of stagnation and decline, according to data from Transparency International published via TradingEconomics.

The index, which scores countries from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), reflects how public sector corruption is perceived by experts and business leaders. Zambia’s score remained around 38 points in 2014–2016, before slipping steadily in the years that followed.

By 2018, the country’s score had fallen to 35, and by 2019–2022 it reached a low of 33 points, marking a period widely associated with concerns over weak accountability, limited transparency, and strained governance systems.

However, the trend began to shift after 2022. In 2023, Zambia’s CPI score improved to 37, followed by a further rise to 39 in 2024, the highest level recorded in the past decade. In 2025, the score slightly eased to 37, but still remained above the low point of the previous era.

What the Numbers Mean

A rising CPI score does not mean corruption has disappeared. Rather, it suggests:

• Stronger enforcement of anti-corruption laws
• Improved public financial management
• Greater confidence in oversight institutions
• Increased political commitment to integrity

The recent gains coincide with renewed focus on governance reforms, asset recovery, and public sector accountability under Zambia’s current administration.

A Long Road Still Ahead

Despite the improvement, Zambia’s score in the high-30s still places the country below the global average and behind several peers in the region. Transparency advocates argue that progress must be sustained through:

✔ Judicial independence
✔ Protection of whistleblowers
✔ Open procurement systems
✔ Transparent public spending

Without consistent reform, the index could slide again — as history has shown.

Outlook

Zambia’s CPI trajectory now tells a story of decline, bottoming out, and cautious recovery. The upward movement since 2023 signals growing confidence in the country’s anti-corruption direction, but lasting improvement will depend on whether reforms are institutionalised rather than politically driven.

As Zambia moves toward future elections and deeper economic reform, the integrity of public institutions will remain central to both domestic trust and international confidence.