ABIDJAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire is set to adopt a law on the protection of whistleblowers in a bid to strengthen its national framework for preventing and combating corruption, the High Authority for Good Governance (HABG), the state institution responsible for coordinating anti-corruption efforts, announced.
According to an official information note obtained by Xinhua, representatives of state institutions, the public administration, the private sector, civil society organizations, as well as technical and financial partners, have been participating since Monday in a three-day workshop in Grand-Bassam dedicated to validating the draft law.
The draft legislation notably provides for the definition of reporting conditions and procedures, guarantees the confidentiality of whistleblowers' identities, protects them against all forms of retaliation, and clarifies the responsibilities of institutions responsible for receiving, processing and following up on reports.
Once validated, the draft law will be submitted to the relevant authorities for the continuation of the legislative process.
"Whistleblowers constitute an essential link in the chain of public integrity. Whether they are public officials, private-sector actors, members of civil society or media professionals, they help expose acts of corruption, fraudulent practices and violations of the public interest," HABG President Epiphane Zoro Bi Ballo was quoted as saying in the note.
According to him, the future law represents a major step forward in strengthening the national integrity system and reflects Cote d'Ivoire's determination to further enhance transparency, public accountability and citizens' trust in state institutions.
According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, Cote d'Ivoire scored 43 out of 100, ranking 76th globally. The higher a country's score, the lower its perceived level of corruption.
Despite institutional progress made in recent years, extortion attributed to some law enforcement officers, as well as corruption in sectors such as land administration, the judiciary and customs, remain recurring concerns for the Ivorian population.
The HABG operates a call center and digital platforms for receiving complaints and reports. In 2025, the institution recorded 451 referrals.
In addition, a specialized economic and financial criminal court division has been established to handle cases related to corruption, economic and financial crimes, money laundering and extortion. ■