Solomon Islands continues to grapple with significant corruption issues, as highlighted by Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) during the unveiling of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The country has shown a slight improvement in its ranking, scoring 44 out of 100 and moving up three places to 73rd out of 180 nations. However, TSI chair Rodney Kingmele cautioned that this score still reflects serious corruption challenges that undermine the nation’s development.
With national elections approaching in two years, the theme of the 2025 CPI, “The Integrity of Electoral Processes and Their Importance to the Integrity of Political Leadership,” underscores the urgency of addressing these corruption issues. Kingmele illustrated how the electoral process itself has been tainted by corruption, with allegations of voters trading ballots for cash and candidates primarily seeking access to public resources rather than genuine service.
He pointed out that the lack of integrity in electoral processes translates to a lack of integrity in political leadership, which hinders any real commitment to eradicating corruption. It’s crucial, Kingmele emphasized, for citizens to take responsibility alongside politicians by rejecting vote-buying practices and demanding accountability from their leaders.
Despite the minor improvement in the CPI score, the TSI chair referred to various scandals eroding public trust, including multi-million-dollar health procurement issues, allegations of police bribery, and misuse of development funds. Furthermore, he raised concerns over the ineffective operations of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), which is deemed essential in the enforcement of anti-corruption measures.
Within the Pacific region, Solomon Islands ranks in the middle, surpassing Papua New Guinea but trailing behind Fiji and Vanuatu. Kingmele highlighted that a higher CPI score equates to stronger institutions that reduce the risk of corruption, making the country more appealing to genuine investors. He urged the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to provide resources and show a robust political commitment to electoral integrity.
The CPI serves as an international benchmark for public sector corruption, with countries rated from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Solomon Islands’ historic score range in the low to mid-40s indicates ongoing governance challenges despite promises for reform. Analysts have pointed to structural issues such as reliance on constituency funds and limited investigative capabilities as factors perpetuating corruption.
Kingmele presented the latest CPI not as a final judgment but as an opportunity for change, stating, “The question is not whether we can improve — our one-point gain proves we can. The question is: do we have the courage and commitment to do what is necessary?” He posited that ensuring integrity in elections is vital for restoring public confidence and fostering a political landscape that genuinely combats corruption. TSI’s call to action resonates strongly in the context of a desire for a future in Solomon Islands where integrity is valued and elections are free from corrupt practices.