Effects of Education and Institutions on Corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

In the quest to fight against corruption, which has negatively affected development and peace in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers have researched to ascertain the factors that influence corruption in the sub-region. Some works have explored the ways in which education affects corruption whiles others looked at the influence of institutions on corruption. This study was motivated by the limited literature that investigated the effects of both education and institutions on corruption. Using gross primary, secondary and tertiary school enrollments as proxies for education attainment, and rule of law, voice and accountability, control of corruption, regulatory quality, government effectiveness, political stability and economic freedom as proxies for institutions, the study investigated the effects education and institutions have on corruption. Sourcing data from WDI, WGI, HFI and TI from 2000-2017 for 41 Sub-Saharan African countries, the study employed fixed and random effect techniques. After the post-estimation test was done to cater for possible multicollinearity and Hausman test to select an appropriate technique – fixed effect model, the study revealed that while education has only positive effects on corruption, institutions have both positive and negative effects on corruption. In their conjoined form, education and institutions also show positive and negative effects. Given that educational attainment has positive effect on corruption, it is recommended that education policymakers of countries of Sub-Saharan Africa emphasize character formation as a key part of the education curriculum to educate populace that are not only competent but conscientious, compassionate and committed to the common good. Additionally, policy makers and anti-corruption institutions need to collaborate to put in place structures that will ensure that institutions work efficiently and effectively to improve their quality.