Liberia: Anti-Corruption Performance Declines by 12.2 Points

• Liberia experienced a 12.2-point decline in anti-corruption performance between 2016 and 2025, the second-largest deterioration in Africa.
• This decline was primarily driven by a 41.1-point drop in Public Procurement Procedures, indicating significant weaknesses in government contracting.
• Despite anti-corruption setbacks, Liberia's overall governance score improved by 1.2 points, with notable gains in rural economy and rights.
• The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, assesses Liberia's performance from 2016 to 2025 across multiple administrations.
• Educational quality improved by 25.2 points, but enrollment declined by 29.7 points, alongside an accelerating deterioration in human resources for education.

A staggering 41.1-point deterioration in Public Procurement Procedures was identified as a primary factor driving the anti-corruption decline.

The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation on October 31, 2026, reveals a significant Liberia anti-corruption performance decline over the past decade. Despite an overall improvement in governance, the nation experienced one of Africa's most substantial deteriorations in this critical area. Liberia's anti-corruption performance dropped by 12.2 points between 2016 and 2025, marking the second-largest decline among all African countries assessed in this category. This raises serious questions about the integrity of public institutions and the management of government resources.

The report, which ranks Liberia 27th out of 54 African nations with an overall governance score of 50.2 out of 100, highlights a particularly concerning trend in public procurement. A staggering 41.1-point deterioration in Public Procurement Procedures was identified as a primary factor driving the anti-corruption decline. This specific finding underscores considerable weaknesses in government contracting and accountability mechanisms within the procurement process, an area vital for effective infrastructure development, service delivery, and the responsible allocation of national development resources.

While the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Liberia report points to a sharp decline in anti-corruption, it also presents a more nuanced picture of the country's overall governance. Liberia's aggregate governance score actually increased by 1.2 points between 2016 and 2025, and it has gained 2.5 points since 2021. Notable improvements were observed in several other indicators. The Rural Economy indicator saw a 20.7-point gain, positioning Liberia as the second most improved country in Africa in this category during the review period.

Furthermore, Liberia demonstrated progress in protecting fundamental rights, achieving a seven-point improvement in the Rights category and ranking eighth among African countries. The nation also secured an eighth-place continental ranking in Participation. Public perceptions of economic opportunities improved significantly, with a 32.7-point increase, reflecting a more optimistic outlook on economic prospects among the populace. However, these positive developments are overshadowed by the persistent challenges in anti-corruption and specific educational metrics, indicating a need for enhanced Liberia governance accountability.

The education sector in Liberia presents a complex scenario, according to the Ibrahim Index African Governance Liberia assessment. While the country recorded a 25.2-point improvement in Education Quality over the past decade, this positive trend was unfortunately offset by a 29.7-point decline in Education Enrolment. This disparity suggests that enhancements in the quality of education are not translating into broader access to schooling. Adding to these concerns, Liberia is identified among seven African nations experiencing an accelerating deterioration in Human Resources in Education, indicating significant issues related to educational personnel.

The 2026 Ibrahim Index comprehensively evaluates governance performance across 54 African countries from 2016 to 2025. It assesses governments' capacity to deliver public services, uphold fundamental rights, bolster accountability, and foster economic opportunities. Published biennially, the Index categorizes performance across four major areas: Security and Rule of Law; Participation, Rights and Inclusion; Foundations for Economic Opportunity; and Human Development. For Liberia, the assessment spans multiple presidential administrations, including the final years of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the entire tenure of former President George Manneh Weah, and the initial two years of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's leadership. The findings provide a crucial basis for evaluating whether governance reforms are effectively leading to improved public services, stronger institutional accountability, and expanded economic opportunities for Liberians, while also serving as a Liberia corruption risk assessment.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients operating or seeking to operate in Liberia should note the significant decline in anti-corruption performance, particularly concerning public procurement. This indicates heightened compliance risks and the necessity for enhanced due diligence, robust anti-bribery and corruption policies, and stringent contract monitoring when engaging with Liberian public entities.

Source: Original reporting via the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's 2026 IIAG.