shloboe boe
Kennedy Mandaza
Corruption remains one of the most pervasive and damaging challenges for many African nations, including Zimbabwe, undermining the region’s efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Despite significant natural resources, a young and growing workforce, and strategic geopolitical positioning, many African nations continue to grapple with entrenched corruption that hampers development, erodes trust in Government institutions, and disproportionately impacts the poor.
The consequences are far-reaching, affecting everything from basic public services such as healthcare and education to long-term investments and foreign partnerships.
Corruption in Africa manifests in various forms, including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and the diversion of public resources for personal gain.
The African Union (AU) estimates that the continent loses US$50 billion annually due to corruption. This staggering figure is equivalent to about five percent of Africa’s Gross Domestic Product, a loss that significantly detracts from the resources needed for infrastructure, education, and healthcare, among other essential sectors.
According to the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, over two-thirds of countries in sub-Saharan Africa scored below 50 out of 100, a signal that corruption is widespread and deeply entrenched.
Countries such as Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan are some of the worst performers in the region, consistently ranking among the most corrupt. On the other hand, some African nations, including Botswana, Rwanda, and Mauritius, have made notable progress in improving governance and tackling corruption. Although these are exceptions rather than the rule, it shows that corruption can be dealt with for the good of a country and its people.
The consequences of corruption are dire. It stifles economic development in several direct and indirect ways. It discourages foreign direct investment (FDI), as investors tend to shy away from regions with poor governance and unclear regulations.
The World Bank estimates that countries with high corruption levels are 10 percent less likely to attract foreign investment than those with transparent and accountable institutions.
In addition, the resources that should be directed towards essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure are often siphoned off for personal gain, leaving vulnerable populations without access to quality services.
Incidentally, corruption prevents inclusive economic development through inequality. When government officials misuse state resources or engage in corrupt practices, they exacerbate the wealth gap, concentrating wealth in the hands of a few and leaving large swathes of the population in poverty.
A report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlights that corruption disproportionately affects the poor, as they are more likely to rely on public services such as health and education, which are often underfunded due to corruption.
In sectors such as construction, mining, and agriculture, where public-private partnerships are crucial for growth, corruption complicates progress. Public contracts are often awarded to companies based on bribes rather than merit, resulting in substandard projects, inflated costs, and wasted resources. This situation is particularly harmful for infrastructure projects, which are essential for economic growth and connectivity.
Zimbabwe has over the past two decades been riled by two twin evils of corruption and illegal sanctions.
While acknowledging the devastating effects of the illegally imposed sanctions, the country’s economic challenges can also be attributed, in part, to endemic corruption in both the public and private sectors.
This, according to the World Bank, accounted to the contraction of Zimbabwe’s GDP by over 50 percent between 2000 and 2008.
The Second Republic has, however, made several promises and taken steps to root out corruption and restore investor confidence.
According to the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index, Zimbabwe still ranks among the most corrupt countries in Africa, with a score of just 24 out of 100.
This situation calls for decisive confrontation of the corruption scourge. Steps should be taken to make sure that the nation’s state-owned enterprises are wrestled from officials and executives accused of siphoning public funds for personal gain.
2025 should be the year that the fight against corruption is intensified and won to make Vision 2030 a reality to all and not a select few.
The mining sector, which is a key driver of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery, has not been spared from corruption. If the 2019 report by Global Witness is anything to go by, our government has been losing millions of dollars due to the illegal export of diamonds and gold.
While acknowledging that the road to fighting corruption in Zimbabwe is long, it is not impossible. Several other African countries have shown that significant progress can be made if there is political will, public pressure and strong legal frameworks.
One of the most critical measures in tackling corruption is strengthening public institutions. This includes enhancing the capacity of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, the judicial system, and the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe processes. There should also be increased transparency in Government transactions, such as open budgeting and procurement systems, to reduce the opportunities for corrupt practices by tenderpreneurs.
In addition, Zimbabwe needs to hold corrupt officials accountable by improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. By strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, the famed “catch-and-release” phenomenon will be a thing of the past.
Furthermore, Zimbabwe should also learn best practices which have been implemented in countries such as Rwanda. While the establishment of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is commendable, comprehensive anti-corruption reforms, including public sector reforms, and the use of technology to promote transparency, should be urgently put in place.
Such moves will engender a culture of good governance, attract foreign investment and foster a more inclusive economy.
Additionally, a good reputation for effective governance and transparency, will result in economic stability.
Civil society organisations and the media must play a pivotal role in raising awareness about corruption and pushing for reforms, if Zimbabwe is to succeed in its fight against corruption.
In many African countries, civil society groups and journalists have been at the forefront of exposing corruption scandals, mobilising public opinion, and holding leaders accountable.
Strengthening the role of civil society and ensuring that the media can operate freely create an environment where corruption cannot thrive.
While the Second Republic has made significant efforts to fight corruption, it remains a major barrier to inclusive economic development and the attainment of a middle-income economy as envisioned by Vision 2030. If not attended to decisively, it will impact trust in Government, exacerbate inequality, divert critical resources, and deter the much-needed investment.
Substantial efforts and intensified political will are needed to combat corruption. 2025 should thus see the strengthening of institutions, enhancing transparency, fostering international co-operation, and empowering civil society, to break the cycle of corruption and pave the way for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
As what President Mnangagwa often says, “Brick by brick, stone upon stone,” let us build the Zimbabwe we want and there shouldn’t be any sacred cows to spare.
It is time that we put all hands on deck and shoulders to the wheel as we fight corruption wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head.
Only through concerted and collective action can Zimbabwe hope to fulfil its vast economic potential and create opportunities for all its people in pursuit of Vision 2030, leaving no one and no place behind.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
