African Governance Report IV 2016: Measuring Corruption in Africa: the International Dimension Matters

Abstract

This 4th edition of the African Governance Report provides a critique of perception-based measurements of corruption as well as an assessment of existing alternative, mostly mixed, measures of corruption. It highlights that pure perception-based measurements are highly subjective and do not provide insights into the institutional and policy reforms needed to combat corruption and improve economic governance. They also fail to take into account the international dimension of corruption. The report argues that the problem of corruption has to be assessed and addressed in the context of overall economic governance, taking into consideration both its domestic and international dimensions. It also presents policy recommendations related to improving transparency and accountability, enhancing ownership and participation in the fight against corruption, building credible national economic governance institutions, and improving the regional and global economic governance architecture.