A groundbreaking study by Gambia Participates, a leading civil society organization, has revealed widespread public concern over corruption in The Gambia, with the newly launched Gambia Corruption Index (GCI) painting a stark picture of distrust in public institutions. The inaugural GCI, based on a comprehensive survey of 1,556 citizens across all regions, identifies the police, health services, and Gambia Revenue Authority as the most corrupt institutions, while highlighting systemic barriers to reporting and accountability. The findings underscore an urgent need for policy reforms, stronger oversight, and enhanced public engagement to combat corruption and restore trust in governance.
The GCI, conducted in July 2025 in partnership with the Center for Policy, Research, and Strategic Studies (CepRass), is the first systematic, locally-driven effort to measure corruption perceptions and experiences in The Gambia. It integrates five weighted components: general perception (20%), personal experiences (25%), institutional corruption perception (35%), transparency and accountability (15%), and qualitative insights (5%). Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating a greater perceived level of corruption. The police topped the index with a score of 74.18, classified as “High Corruption,” followed by health services (68.45), Gambia Revenue Authority (62.81), Local Government Authorities (62.44), and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) (61.50). Sectors like education (53.26), agriculture (58.99), and petroleum (48.95) were rated as moderately corrupt.
Public sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with 90% of respondents viewing corruption as widespread—67% rating it “very high” and 23% “high.” An alarming 81% believe corruption has worsened over the past year, reflecting growing frustration with governance. Regionally, Banjul reported the highest concern, with 94% of respondents perceiving corruption as very high, while Basse showed mixed views, with 8% believing corruption is non-existent. Urban centers like Kanifing and Brikama recorded the lowest levels of trust in institutions, with only 8% and 12%, respectively, expressing confidence in their ability to address corruption. In contrast, rural areas such as Mansakonko (39%) and Kuntaur (30%) showed relatively higher levels of trust.
Direct experiences of corruption are common, with 41% of respondents reporting being asked for bribes, 40% witnessing favoritism, and 23% observing impunity due to connections. The police were cited by 63% as the most corrupt institution, followed by health services (39%) and the Gambia Immigration Department (34%). Essential services, such as NAWEC (20%) and education (19%), also face significant corruption, which undermines public welfare and economic productivity. However, only 8% of corruption incidents were reported, primarily due to distrust in the system (63%), lack of awareness about reporting channels (28%), and fear of retaliation (17%).
The survey highlights a critical gap in public awareness, with 65% of respondents unaware of where to report corruption. Among those who know, 72% would turn to the police, despite its high corruption rating, while only 14% cited the Anti-Corruption Commission and 18% the Ombudsman, indicating their low visibility. Trust in institutions to act on reports is dismal, with only 18% expressing confidence, compared to 50% who distrust and 32% who are unsure. Transparency ratings are equally poor, with 66% rating the Gambia Revenue Authority as not transparent, followed by the police and local governments (both 63%).
Respondents identified low salaries (49%), nepotism (19%), and weak enforcement (15%) as primary drivers of corruption, pointing to systemic issues rather than public complacency. Proposed solutions include more vigorous enforcement and penalties (42%), digital transparency systems (27%), and ethics training (8%). However, 75% of respondents doubt the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, with 47% citing a lack of will and 28% noting worsening conditions.
The GCI recommends urgent reforms, including the establishment of a robust Anti-Corruption Commission, enhanced whistleblower protections, and the leveraging of digital tools like e-procurement to reduce bribery. Increasing salaries for frontline staff and strengthening oversight bodies are also critical.
Despite its insights, the GCI faces limitations, including potential underreporting due to fear and reliance on perceptions rather than complex data. Nonetheless, its stratified sampling across regions, genders, and sectors ensures robust representation. By institutionalizing the GCI as a regular monitoring tool, The Gambia can track progress, foster accountability, and rebuild public trust, paving the way for a more transparent and equitable future.
