Afrobarometer Survey: Public Trust in Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Fight Declines Despite Institutional Gains
By The Prowess
Despite a wave of international awards and commendations for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and its Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, public confidence in the government’s fight against corruption is sharply declining. New data from the latest Afrobarometer survey, released by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), shows that only four in ten Sierra Leoneans believe the government is handling corruption effectively a significant 14-point drop since 2022.
The findings underscore a growing disconnect between the country’s international image and domestic perceptions. While Sierra Leone performed strongly on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Control of Corruption Indicator for six consecutive years (2018–2023), public sentiment at home tells a different story.
This latest survey comes amid ongoing public concern following reports linking senior law enforcement and government officials to criminal networks, including the alleged presence in Sierra Leone of Dutch fugitive and drug trafficker Bolle Jos.
Other institutions also fared poorly in the eyes of the public. The Sierra Leone Police were perceived as the most corrupt, with 73% of respondents expressing distrust. Business leaders (51%) and members of parliament (49%) followed closely behind.
In addition, the fear of speaking out is growing. Nearly 70% of citizens now say that whistleblowers face retaliation, a 10-point increase from 2018, highlighting an environment of fear that could stifle transparency and accountability efforts.
At the survey’s launch, IGR Executive Director Andrew Lavali urged national leaders to reflect on the data and engage in meaningful reforms. “International recognition has its place,” he said, “but what matters most is restoring public trust in the systems that are meant to serve and protect citizens.”
Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network, surveyed 1,200 adults across Sierra Leone’s regions, offering a snapshot of citizens’ views on governance, democracy, and corruption. As Sierra Leone prepares for future governance benchmarks, these findings suggest that regaining citizen trust will be critical in rebuilding an effective and credible anti-corruption framework.
