This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Please provide an overview the current situation regarding corruption and anti-corruption in Burkina Faso.
Summary
Burkina Faso is trying to overcome a legacy of bad governance and corruption. Bribery and bureaucratic corruption are widespread, permeating all sectors of society and affecting the daily lives of Burkinabés. The extractive industries sector, the judicial system and the public health sector are particularly vulnerable to corruption risks.
Nevertheless, following popular protests which ousted a long-serving president in 2014, Burkina Faso has initiated a wave of institutional and legislative reforms supported by citizen pressure to curb corruption and ensure a sustainable democratic regime.
Contents
Bribery is present at all levels of the Burkinabé state and business sector, but perceptions of corruption are below the average in Africa.
Various sectors suffer from corruption in Burkina Faso, but the available literature focuses on corruption in the extractive industries, public service provision in health and education, and the judiciary.
Popular protests in 2014 led to the resignation of the president and subsequent anti-corruption reforms.
More than half of Burkinabé respondents to the 2019 GCB believe that corruption has decreased in the past year and that the current government is doing a good job countering corruption.
Main points
Bribery is present at all levels of the Burkinabé state and business sector, but perceptions of corruption are below the average in Africa.
Various sectors suffer from corruption in Burkina Faso, but the available literature focuses on corruption in the extractive industries, public service provision in health and education, and the judiciary.
Popular protests in 2014 led to the resignation of the president and subsequent anti-corruption reforms.
More than half of Burkinabé respondents to the 2019 GCB believe that corruption has decreased in the past year and that the current government is doing a good job countering corruption.
Authors
Iñaki Albisu Ardigo
Reviewers:
Matthew Jenkins, Transparency International and Guillaume Nicaise, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre
Date
20/01/2020
