Corruption continues to be a profound and persistent challenge in The Gambia, with recent surveys, civic activism, and political criticism underscoring deep-rooted concerns about transparency, accountability, and public trust in government institutions.
According to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International, The Gambia’s score declined slightly in 2025, slipping to 37 out of 100 and ranking the country 99th out of 182 nations measured — a sign that perceptions of public-sector corruption remain entrenched and progress in governance reform is stagnating.
Civil society and everyday Gambians appear deeply skeptical of official anti-corruption efforts. A nationwide survey by local watchdog Gambia Participates found that 90% of Gambians believe corruption is widespread across public institutions, and 75% said the government lacks either the will or effective action to tackle the problem. Separate reports highlight law enforcement and public services — including the police force, health sector, and revenue authority — as among the most corrupt institutions, fueling broad dissatisfaction.
Public discontent has translated into fierce criticism from opposition figures and civil society leaders. Progress party leader Amadou Jaiteh recently accused the government of “widespread and systemic corruption,” alleging that public funds allocated for infrastructure projects are being diverted through politically driven contracts and kickbacks — especially in road construction and other high-profile government spending.
Echoing public frustration, youth political activists have linked economic hardship directly to corruption, arguing that rising costs of living are exacerbated by misuse of public resources by officials. Hagi Suwaneh, president of the youth wing of the opposition United Democratic Party, described the situation as “alarming,” saying auditors have identified “billions of dalasis unaccounted for” and accusing officials of enriching themselves while ordinary citizens struggle.
Public trust in government efforts to combat corruption remains low. Previous Afrobarometer surveys showed that a majority of respondents believe corruption has increased — and that citizens are hesitant to report corrupt behavior for fear of retaliation.
Despite these concerns, the government under President Adama Barrow has occasionally defended its record, highlighting legal and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance. These include the passage of the Anti-Corruption Act and Access to Information Act, and efforts toward digitalizing government revenue collection. Some officials argue that improved reporting and prosecution of corruption cases is indicative of increased transparency, not necessarily increased corruption.
At the same time, Banjul has taken targeted policy steps to improve transparency in specific sectors. For example, requirements for competitive tendering in all energy sector projects were introduced after past transparency scandals, a measure intended to reduce opportunities for graft and bolster market competition.
Activists, however, say reforms have been too cautious and slow. Groups like the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice have called for the immediate operationalization of an independent Anti-Corruption Commission with the autonomy to investigate and prosecute corruption without political interference.
While there have been individual prosecutions — such as past cases involving a former lands minister charged with theft and economic crimes — critics say high-level accountability remains rare and that systemic governance weaknesses persist.
As national debates continue, corruption remains a central line of contention in Gambian politics, shaping public perceptions of government performance, economic prospects, and democratic accountability across the country.
