Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing corruption issues facing the nation, even as the country reported a slight uptick in its global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score. At the launch of the 2025 CPI, TSI chair Rodney Kingmele announced that the Solomon Islands received a score of 44 out of 100, marking a one-point increase from the previous year and a three-place advancement to 73rd among 180 countries.
Despite this modest improvement, Kingmele cautioned that the 44 score still indicates significant corruption struggles that severely hinder national development. The latest CPI emphasizes “The Integrity of Electoral Processes and Their Importance to the Integrity of Political Leadership,” a theme particularly relevant as national elections approach in two years. Kingmele highlighted the troubling infiltration of corruption into the electoral process, where voters often exchange their ballots for constituency funds, and candidates primarily aim to access public resources rather than serve the public good.
The chair criticized the commodification of votes, stating, “Votes are sold and bought with cash,” and noted the harmful effects of politicians using public funds and foreign influence to finance their electoral campaigns, creating an unlevel playing field. He asserted that the integrity of electoral processes is fundamental to achieving authentic political leadership and a concerted effort to combat corruption.
Kingmele also emphasized that the issue of corruption is not solely the responsibility of politicians; citizens must also reject corrupt practices such as vote-buying and demand accountability from their leaders. While acknowledging the slight improvement in CPI score, he pointed to a series of scandals that continue to erode public trust, such as a major health procurement scandal, police bribery allegations, the misuse of the Economic Stimulus Package, and ongoing corruption risks in the logging and mining industries.
The TSI chair expressed particular concern regarding the ongoing weaknesses in oversight of constituency development funds, which facilitate the misuse of public resources. He highlighted the troubling “paralysis” of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), a body that is crucial for enforcement against corrupt practices.
Kingmele urged the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to adequately resource the Electoral Commission and to demonstrate a stronger commitment to maintaining integrity across the political landscape. In the context of the Pacific, the Solomon Islands maintains a central position, with neighboring Fiji scoring 55 and Vanuatu at 47, while Papua New Guinea ranks significantly lower at 26. Kingmele emphasized that improvements in the CPI score could signal stronger institutions and reduced corruption risks, making the Solomon Islands more appealing to genuine investors.
The CPI, recognized globally as a key measure of perceived public sector corruption, assesses countries on a scale from 0 to 100. The continual low-to-mid 40s range for the Solomon Islands reflects ongoing challenges in governance, despite repeated pledges for reform. Analysts note that structural issues—including a reliance on constituency funds, limited capacity for investigation, and political patronage—continue to expose the nation to corruption risks. The slow strengthening of SIICAC has also attracted criticism, with civil society groups arguing that without visible prosecutions, the deterrent effect of the commission remains insufficient.
Kingmele framed the latest CPI results as an opportunity for change, urging citizens to act with courage and commitment to implement necessary reforms. He underscored that integrity in elections is essential for restoring public trust and ensuring leaders are genuinely dedicated to fighting corruption. “Today’s launch is about our collective commitment to build a Solomon Islands where integrity matters, where elections are free from corruption, and where our votes truly count,” he concluded.
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