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A group of Gen Z protesters hold a sign reading "Youths against corruption" during a demonstration in Kathmandu, Nepal
Image: Safal Prakash Shrestha/ZUMA/picture alliance

Corruption

Corruption has long threatened global democracy. Despite people challenging corrupt governments, companies and criminals, it remains a force to be reckoned with.

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All Content on this topic

Journalists wait outside the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria June 29, 2021

Who gets convicted in Nigeria's anti-corruption war?

The recent conviction of ex-power minister Saleh Mamman has rekindled debate over who is held accountable in Nigeria.
CorruptionMay 20, 2026
Composite image showing Ines Mrdovic, Momo Koprivica, and Valentina Pavlicic

Montenegro: Reformers fight corruption

Clan networks and weak courts hinder Montenegro’s EU bid — but public pressure is growing.
SocietyMay 9, 202605:53 min
ounder, Chairman & CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun (R), speaks to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (C), and his wife Begona Gomez, at the Xiaomi headquarters Beijing, China, 13 April, 2026

Spanish PM Sanchez' wife charged with corruption

The case is the latest in a string of corruption allegations which have plagued Sanchez' inner circle.
Rule of LawApril 14, 2026
DW Sendung The 77 Percent | STD

Did Kaluma Boy expose Kenya's broken and corrupt system?

Today, Kenyans turn to TikTok if they need help, does the future rely on crowdsourced survival while public institutions
CorruptionMarch 23, 202626:03 min
Kamal Subedi, candidate of the Janadesh Party Nepal and Gen Z leader on the campaign trail in Kathmandu

Nepal's Gen Z look to reshape their nation's future

After deadly anti-corruption demonstrations in Nepal last September, Gen Z activists are now contesting elections.
PoliticsMarch 4, 202603:55 min
DW The 77 Percent show logo

How corruption kills Kenya's babies

In Kenya, a lack of facilities puts mothers and newborns at risk. Evelyn shares her story.
CorruptionMarch 4, 202600:53 min
The image shows two individuals in the foreground holding Kenyan banknotes. The background is filled with large stacks of Kenyan currency, arranged in neat bundles.

Corruption and civil engagement

Young Africans confront corruption and find new ways to navigate broken systems.
SocietyMarch 2, 202626:03 min
A South African National Defence Forces soldier stands guard as suspects lie on the ground

South Africa mulls using military to combat organized crime

With South Africans skeptical about the president's plan, analysts say policing must be overhauled for public support.
PoliticsFebruary 18, 2026
A black and white still from a DW reenactment of a bribe shows a man counting banknotes

Corruption scandal in South Africa implicates police

South Africa's latest corruption scandal involves businesspeople said to be looting the state.
CorruptionFebruary 13, 202603:59 min
A photo of slain South African whistler blower Babita Deokaran

What was behind South African whistleblower's murder

In 2021, Babita Deokaran uncovered massive hospital corruption — and then was gunned down.
CrimeFebruary 12, 202603:29 min
DW News Africa Moderator Eddy Micah (Composite)

DW News Africa with Eddy Micah Jr., February 12, 2026

As South Africa confronts allegations of organized crime at the heart of the state, one whistleblower has already paid the price. We look inside a corruption crisis shaking a nation. Plus, African nations double their presence at the Winter Olympics with 14 athletes competing for medals the continent has never won. We hear from the contenders on what’s holding them back and what could change that.
PoliticsFebruary 12, 202626:20 min
A representational image on corruption showing a man putting currency notes in his blazer pocket

Corruption on the rise worldwide, watchdog finds

Even anti-graft strongholds like the US and Sweden are slipping into decline due to a lack of political leadership.
CorruptionFebruary 10, 202602:44 min
A man stuffs a wad of dollar bills into his blazer pocket

Corruption watchdog reports increase in global graft

The US, UK, Canada and Sweden are slipping into decline, according to Transparency International's latest report.
CorruptionFebruary 10, 2026
Chinese journalist Liu Hu poses for a portrait

China: Two journalists reportedly held after exposing graft

The journalists had published a report alleging corruption by a officials in southwestern China, rights group RSF said.
CorruptionFebruary 4, 2026
A large set of Olympic Rings in Italy's Val di Fiemme ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics

Concerns about shady deals ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics

Concerns are mounting about corruption, budget overruns and reported mafia infiltration of major construction projects.
SportsJanuary 29, 202603:03 min
South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors, in Seoul on August 12, 2025

South Korea's ex-first lady sentenced to prison for bribery

A South Korean court sentenced disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's wife to 20 months in prison for corruption.
PoliticsJanuary 28, 2026
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban giving his annual press conference on January 5, 2026

Hungary: Orban takes in EU politicians accused of corruption

The move shows how far Hungary has drifted from the EU, but it's a risky political gambit for Viktor Orban.
PoliticsJanuary 17, 2026
Yulia Tymoshenko, Head of the political party Batkivshchyna Motherland and the political alliance Tymoshenko Bloc, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine

Ukraine: Anti-corruption agencies target former PM

Ukraine's anti-corruption agency said it notified a party leader of its suspicion of offering bribes to politicians.
ConflictsJanuary 14, 2026
A T-shirt showing ex-PM Najib Razak holding a finger up to his lips in a 'hush' gesture (December 26, 2025)

Malaysia government's anti-corruption maze amid 1MDB scandal

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has made bold anti-corruption pledges, but his aggressiveness could sink his government.
CorruptionJanuary 6, 2026
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez speaks at a meeting of the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 29, 2025

Venezuela: 'Corrupt government...will try to cling to power'

Maduro may have been removed but a deeply corrupt administration remains and is unlikely to want to give up power
ConflictsJanuary 3, 202608:29 min
European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi being interviewed.

The EU's anti-fraud enforcer — the fight against corruption

Laura Kövesi leads the EU’s anti-corruption fight, launching major fraud cases since 2021, and winning.
CorruptionDecember 8, 202528:34 min
A man in a red shirt holds up his right fist in the air. Behind him, more people walk with red signs and a large caricature as they take part in an anti-corruption protest in the Philippines.

Philippines flood corruption scandal sparks Manila protests

Manila protests erupt over alleged "ghost" flood-control projects and widespread corruption.
SocietyNovember 30, 202501:45 min
DW The 77 Percent show logo

Forever in office? The impact of power grips of Africa’s democracies

Protests over disputed elections reveal a growing crisis of trust among youth in African democracies.
SocietyNovember 29, 202502:27 min
Volodymyr Zelenskyy looking stern

Ukraine announces energy shake-up after corruption scandal

Zelenskyy called for a new board at state nuclear operator Energoatom after a massive corruption scandal.
CorruptionNovember 15, 2025
Student protester Arsa Stojanovic, who was badly wounded by police, speaks to DW

Serbia protesters welcome EU's rebuke of police violence

One year after the Novi Sad station collapse, Serbia's student-led anti-corruption protests receive support from the EU.
PoliticsOctober 31, 202503:07 min
Heavy machinery is tearing down part of the East Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 20, 2025

Trump's White House ballroom sparks criticism amid shutdown

Donald Trump's new White House ballroom plans have draw criticism and warnings of corruption.
CorruptionOctober 23, 2025
Police shield themselves from rocks thrown by protesters near Malacanang Palace in Manila

Manila anti-corruption protests turn violent

Protesters upset about alleged corruption in flood control projects clashed with authorities in the Philippine capital.
CorruptionSeptember 21, 202501:49 min
Protesters in Kenya waving flags during a demonstration

Kenya: Fraud scandal robs millions of health care, pensions

Fraud, delays and broken promises have left Kenyan retirees and patients paying with their savings — and their lives.
BusinessSeptember 17, 2025
DR Congo's former justice minister Constant Mutamba walks with his bodyguards

DRC: Mutamba graft trial exposes justice system fault lines

Former Justice Minister Mutamba vowed to come down hard on embezzlers, but has himself been convicted of corruption.
Law and JusticeSeptember 3, 2025
President of Kenya, William Ruto, at a podium

Kenya mulls reforms as 'bribery culture' faces scrutiny

A survey paints a picture of corruption in ministries and public services as the president says MPs are on the take.
PoliticsAugust 28, 2025
Ranil Wickremesinghe greets a group of school children who welcomed him with a song during the 76th Independence Day commemoration ceremony of Sri Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Feb. 4, 2024

Sri Lanka: Ex-president's arrest sparks corruption debate

Ranil Wickremesinghe made history in Sri Lanka by becoming the first ever ex-president to be arrested.
CorruptionAugust 25, 2025
A line of Serbian riot police block a road during during an anti-government protest near Serbian Progressive Party office in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Serbia police arrest dozens of anti-government protesters

Clashes between rival groups of protesters in Serbia flared again late on Thursday.
PoliticsAugust 15, 2025
A female protester in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv holds an orange umbrella with a sign reading "Don't Betray Democracy Vote"

Ukraine restores independence of anti-graft agencies

President Zelenskyy bowed to public pressure, backtracking on plans to monitor the work of anti-corruption agencies.
CorruptionJuly 31, 202502:28 min
A view of people holding up pieces of cardboard with slogans, during a protest against a law limiting independence of Ukrainian anticorruption institutions NABU and SAPO

Is Ukraine's fight against corruption on the line?

A move by the government to strip two anti-corruption agencies of their independence has triggered nationwide protests.
CorruptionJuly 30, 202504:21 min
A Global Hawk UAV drone aircraft landing on a runway

NATO corruption probe 'reminder' of defense boom risks

In a sector with notoriously patchy oversight, corruption risks for deals on arms and munitions are very real.
PoliticsMay 19, 2025
A placard reading "Abolish Frontex" is seen next to a long row of candlelights

Frontex under scrutiny

Frontex. For many, a name bound up with scandals, cover-ups and human rights violations.
PoliticsApril 30, 202542:34 min
A Kenyan man lifts up his shirt to show the scar on his stomach where he had a kidney removed for the illegal organ trade.

Kidneys for cash: Inside a global organ trafficking network

An international network is said to be exploiting poor, vulnerable Kenyans as organ donors to reap profits.
HealthApril 14, 2025
A silhouetted man taking a bunch of US banknotes out of his suit pocket

Transparency International: Corruption is a climate issue

Germany and other countries received their lowest score yet on the global watchdog's "Corruption Perceptions Index."
CorruptionFebruary 11, 2025
Diezani Alison-Madueke speaking in 2014.

Nigeria to spend seized money on rural electrification

The government plans to power rural communities with funds recovered from a former oil minister and her associates.
CorruptionJanuary 13, 2025
The "Global Us" show logo is seen between a male head with curly hair (bottom) and a female head (top, pictured upside down) blowing up a blue balloon

Living in flooded homes: Climate change in the Philippines

Climate change is destroying islands in the Philippines. A ballet school in Peru brings hope to poor children.
ClimateJanuary 3, 202526:04 min
Mosambik Nampula 2024 | Justizpalast

Mozambique: Top Court confirms disputed Frelimo election win

Over 100 people have been killed in protests against the election results, which have now been confirmed.
PoliticsDecember 23, 2024
A view of Google logo at the entrance to Google's European headquarters building in Dublin

Google Chrome on the chopping block: What's the impact?

US regulators wants Google to sell its Chrome web browser, to counteract the company's market dominance.
Digital WorldNovember 21, 202402:55 min
DW AfricaLink logo and cover

How can Malawi restore public faith in its judiciary?


The Judicial Service Commission in Malawi has launched an investigation into the country’s judiciary over allegations of corruption. Judges and court officials, among others, are accused of wrongdoing. Josey Mahachi talks to Patrick Mpaka, President of the Malawi Law Society, DW correspondent Chimwemwe Padatha in Blantyre, and Wilberforce Asare, a Ghanaian judicial service analyst.
CorruptionNovember 7, 202425:11 min
DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Corruption and catastrophe as China invests in Colombia

Landslides and buried villages in Colombia. The Angkor Wat temples evict locals. And big hopes for Brazil's footballers.
CatastropheNovember 1, 202426:04 min
Graphic depiction of a man donating money to super PACs

USA — money ruling the election world?

Who funds the US election campaign? And who has more financial support — Trump or Harris?
BusinessOctober 2, 202404:12 min
Business woman Truong My Lan, a real estate tycoon sentenced to death for financial fraud, attends her second trial in Vietnam's largest fraud case in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam tycoon on death row faces new trial

A second trial on new charges has begun for Vietnamese billionaire Truong My Lan, who was sentenced to death in April.
CorruptionSeptember 19, 2024
DW Sendung 77 Percent vom 7.9.2024

How much do people trust the police?

Police corruption in Ghana has been attributed to a lack of resources and low pay. But are Ghanaians hopeful?
SocietySeptember 12, 202401:50 min
DW Sendung 77 Percent vom 7.9.2024

DRC: Do police really need that bribe?

Police corruption is rampant in the streets of Kinshasa where our reporter encounters a bribing incident.
SocietySeptember 12, 202403:20 min
African National Congress party (ANC) supporters stage an anti-government demonstration

Why do so many young Africans want to leave their continent?

An alarming 60% of African youth are contemplating leaving their homelands, mostly due to endemic corruption.
SocietySeptember 6, 2024
A group of people with banners that read "Corruption is killing us"

African whistleblowers at risk

Whistleblowers exposing corruption or illegal activities are facing mounting and brazen attacks across Africa.
CorruptionSeptember 2, 2024