Assessment of Democracy as an Influencing Tool for the Level of Corruption in Sub Saharan Africa

Abstract

This study ascertain the influence of democracy period on corruption covering 1995 to 2016 with the use of panel data. The dynamic two-step system GMM was used and findings indicated that duration (period) of democratic regime and transparency were significant, it means higher level of democratization in Sub Saharan-African countries influences lower levels of corruption, the period of steady/uninterrupted democratic regime has higher level of corruption than other non- democratic regimes or truncated democratic period, transparency in government policies and programmes influences a reduction on corruption in the region. The study also discovered that nations that produces oil has lower corruption level than nations without oil. Also, unemployment rate negatively affect the level of corruption in Sub Sahara Africa. The study therefore recommends that: governments of the concern countries should encourage the public to fully participate in the democratic process so as to reduce to a greater extent the level of information asymmetry which could increase the tendency of corrupt practices. Sensitization and orientation programs should be organised to educate the populace about the danger of involving in corruption as this will go a long way in inculcating discipline among the populace.