Zambia Makes Strides in Anti-Corruption Fight Despite Rise in Bribery Incidents — ACC Clarifies
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has clarified public concerns following the recent release of two major anti-corruption reports — the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and the 2024 Zambia Bribe Payers’ Index (ZBPI).
The CPI, released globally in February 2025 by Transparency International, ranks 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. Zambia recorded significant progress, improving its score from 33 in 2022 to 39 in 2024. The country also advanced in global ranking from 98 in 2023 to 92 in 2024, signaling a strengthening commitment to transparency and public accountability.
“These improvements are a result of deliberate interventions by the Zambian government and the ACC,” the Commission stated. Key drivers of this progress include the implementation of the National Policy on Anti-Corruption, strengthened investigations and prosecutions, enhanced whistleblower protections, and the rollout of the Online Anonymous Whistleblower System.
However, the ACC acknowledged concerns raised by the Zambia Bribe Payers’ Index (ZBPI), which revealed a rise in actual bribery experiences — from 10.1% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2024. The ZBPI, released on March 26, 2025, is a national, experience-based survey conducted by ACC in partnership with Transparency International Zambia.
“This does not contradict the CPI,” the ACC explained. “Rather, the two reports are complementary. The CPI reflects perceived corruption trends, while the ZBPI captures actual bribery experiences. Together, they provide a fuller picture of the corruption landscape.”
Despite the rise in bribery, the ZBPI also highlighted reduced corruption in institutions where targeted anti-corruption reforms have been implemented. Interventions such as Service Charters, institutional Codes of Ethics, better Complaint Handling Systems, and e-Payment platforms have played a vital role in minimizing corruption opportunities.
The ACC urged all government institutions, civil society actors, and the general public to utilize the findings of both indexes to inform policy decisions, promote accountability, and build momentum for reforms aimed at improving integrity in public service delivery.
“Corruption undermines development. These reports give us an opportunity to confront it head-on,” said the ACC.
