Lesotho has scored 37 out of 100 in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International placing the country below the global average and reinforcing concerns about persistent public sector corruption.
The global average dropped to 42 out of 100, marking the first time in over a decade that the benchmark has fallen to that level. The 2025 CPI highlights stagnation in anti-corruption efforts worldwide.
Lesotho Below the Global Average
Lesotho’s CPI score of 37 places it firmly below the global benchmark of 42 and within the majority of countries scoring under 50 — a range widely considered indicative of serious corruption challenges.
Although Lesotho performs slightly above the Sub-Saharan Africa regional average of 32, the score suggests that public institutions remain vulnerable to perceived corruption.
For many Basotho, this perception translates into:
• Concerns over public procurement processes
• Questions around government contract transparency
• Distrust in public service delivery
• Reduced confidence in state accountability
A CPI score below 50 signals that corruption remains a structural governance issue rather than isolated misconduct.
South Africa Also Struggles
Lesotho’s only neighbour, South Africa, scored 41 out of 100 in 2025.
While slightly higher than Lesotho’s score, South Africa also remains below the global average, indicating continued governance and accountability challenges.
Given the close economic and geographic ties between Lesotho and South Africa, their comparative CPI performance underscores a broader regional struggle with public sector corruption.
What the Corruption Perceptions Index Measures
The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from:
• 0 = Highly Corrupt
• 100 = Very Clean
Countries scoring below 50 often face:
• Weak judicial independence
• Limited democratic oversight
• Political interference in state institutions
• Restricted civic space
According to Transparency International, strong democracies with independent courts, free media and active civil society organisations tend to perform better on the CPI.
Why the CPI Score Matters for Lesotho
Corruption perception is not merely about international rankings. It has real economic implications.
A low CPI score can:
• Deter foreign direct investment
• Increase borrowing costs
• Undermine public trust
• Weaken institutional legitimacy
• Deepen inequality
For Lesotho, a score of 37 suggests that anti-corruption reforms have yet to meaningfully shift public confidence.
Recommendations Highlighted in the 2025 CPI Report
Transparency International recommends several reforms to improve corruption outcomes:
• Strengthening independent judicial institutions
• Protecting anti-corruption bodies from political influence
• Tightening regulations on political financing
• Increasing transparency in public spending
• Protecting journalists and whistleblowers
For Lesotho to move above the 50-point threshold in future CPI reports, sustained political will and institutional independence will be critical.
The Road Ahead
The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index serves as both a warning and an opportunity for Lesotho.
A CPI score of 37 reflects persistent governance concerns. Reversing that trajectory will require consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws, transparent public financial management and demonstrable accountability.
Ultimately, improving Lesotho’s corruption score is not about optics. It is about restoring trust between citizens and the state and ensuring that public resources serve the public interest.
