The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2015 released today by Transparency International ranks Rwanda as the fourth least corrupt country in Africa and 44th globally.

The report shows an improvement in Rwanda's percentage score from 49 up to 54 per cent.

At a global level, Denmark emerged the least corrupt nation for the second year running, followed by Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, Netherlands and Norway, respectively.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Botswana claimed the top spot followed by Cape Verde, Seychelles, Rwanda, then Mauritius and Namibia.

In the East African Community, Rwanda comes on top followed by Tanzania (117), Kenya (139), Uganda (139) and Burundi (150) respectively.

The CPI, which covers 168 countries around the world, tackles public perceptions for corruption in the public sector.

Speaking at the launch of the CPI report in Kigali this morning, Marie-Immaculée Ingabire, chairperson of Transparency International Rwanda, noted that despite Rwanda’s improvement in the corruption index, more should be done to achieve the highest possible rankings ensuring corrupt-free society.

"We should not take pride in being the fourth least corrupt country on the continent or the number one least corrupt country in East Africa. We should rather take pride in putting up more stringent measures that would rank us number one least corrupt on the global scale.

"I know its hard to change perception in terms of corruption. It takes mindset change, but its possible. Until we score high and above a perceived clean society that is free from corruption, there is more to be done,” Ingabire said.

In a statement, Jose Ugaz, the Chairperson of Transparency International, noted that the 2015 CPI clearly shows that corruption continues to blight the world.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw