Corruption remains a major obstacle to Somalia’s governance, economic growth, and public service delivery, ranking 11/100 on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. Weak institutions, lack of political commitment, and centralized financial control have fueled bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, and aid diversion, further undermining public trust and economic stability.
This paper examines Somalia’s corruption landscape, highlighting the systemic conditions that enable corruption, and evaluates past anti-corruption measures. While regulatory frameworks exist, weak implementation, lack of accountability, and limited oversight continue to hinder progress. The recent cabinet executive order aims to improve procurement, wealth declarations, and merit-based selections, yet gaps remain in legal enforcement, whistleblower protections, and transparency mechanisms.
Drawing from global anti-corruption models, the paper presents policy recommendations to combat corruption.
