The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to address concerns regarding the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which was launched in February 2025, and the Zambia Bribe Payers’ Index (ZBPI), which was launched on 26th March, 2025.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption. It is compiled under the global umbrella of Transparency International, using expert assessments and business surveys. The index scores countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). It does not record actual incidents of bribery but instead reflects how corruption is perceived by industry leaders and governance experts.
The latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals that Zambia is among 32 countries that have significantly reduced their corruption levels over the last decade. Zambia’s score has improved from 33 in 2022 to 37 in 2023, and to 39 in 2024. Additionally, the country’s global ranking improved from 98 in 2023 to 92 out of 180 countries, signaling progress in anti-corruption efforts and an overall positive trend in public sector transparency.
Zambia’s improved Corruption Perceptions Index scores between 2022 and 2024 from 33 to 39 are a result of ongoing anti-corruption efforts by the Zambian government and the Anti-Corruption Commission. These efforts include strengthening anti-corruption strategies and interventions, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and increasing public awareness campaigns. Key measures contributing to this progress include, streamlining and implementing the National Policy on Anti-Corruption, strengthening corruption investigations and prosecutions, recovering stolen assets, enforcing integrity measures in public procurement, strengthening whistleblower protection laws, including the launch of the Online Anonymous Whistleblower System, increasing public awareness campaigns and collaboration with civil society to encourage a stronger stance against corruption.
On the other hand, the Zambia Bribe Payers’ Index is a national, experience-based survey conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission in collaboration with Transparency International-Zambia Chapter. Unlike the Corruption Perception Index, the Zambia Bribe Payers’ Index captures real bribery experiences, providing actionable data on where corruption occurs within public and private institutions. The recently launched report revealed that bribery cases increased from 10.1% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2024, highlighting areas that need urgent attention. The findings from the 2024 Zambia Bribe Payers Index also show a drop-in bribery experiences within institutions where anti-corruption measures were introduced to improve transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service delivery.
Some of the interventions made by the Anti-Corruption Commission contributing to this progress include the introduction of: Service Charters, which ensure institutions maintain service standards and provide clear complaint mechanisms; Codes of Ethics, which promotes integrity among employees; and the Whistleblower Protection Policy, which safeguards those who report corruption. Additionally, improved Complaint Handling Systems, Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaigns, and the introduction of e-Payment Systems have reduced opportunities for bribery by minimizing direct human interactions in financial transactions.
The Corruption Perception Index and Zambia Bribe Payers’ Index are not contradictory but complementary tools in Zambia’s anti-corruption strategy. The Commission urges government institutions, civil society, and the public to leverage these insights to drive reforms, enhance service delivery integrity, and strengthen Zambia’s fight against corruption.
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