03 Dec 2013

Botswana has for the 18th year in a row, been cited as being the least corrupt country in Africa by the Transparency International (TI)  Corruption Perception Index (CPI)

A press release from the Office of the President stated that Botswana was also cited among the least corrupt countries in the world.T he release said Botswana was ranked 30 out of 177 countries in the latest survey, with an overall score of 64.

In Africa, Botswana was the only country to score above 60. It also said Botswana’s standing thus placed it in the top 17 of all surveyed nations, as well as above almost two thirds of the nations of Europe.

Furthermore, the release said Botswana’s success in the annual survey over the years had been attributed to its zero tolerance approach to corruption buttressed by the putting into place of multiple oversight institution, such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB), the Competition Authority and the Financial Intelligence Agency

It also stated that since 2008 the DCEC, in particular, had increased its capacity and reach with the assistance of outside experts. It said this had enabled it to put into place Anti-Corruption Units in Ministries and Local Authorities, who, working alongside PPADB, have been enforcing procurement guidelines and cracking down on abuses.

The release further said additional initiatives had included the designation of a dedicated High Court Judge to deal with cases of Corruption, the establishment of the DPP Anti-Corruption Unit and the introduction of anti-corruption curricula in schools and training institutions. Transparency International is the leading international non-governmental organisation devoted to fighting corruption worldwide.

Its annual CPI index reflects the perceptions of business people, academics and risk analysts, both resident and non-resident. It is, moreover, a composite index, drawing on a range of additional expert and business surveys. ENDS