Multinational Corporations as Supplier of Corruption in Africa

Abstract

Corruption is a huge problem facing both developing and developed economies today. It is a complex issue that is made up of a vast array of determinants and effects that are often affected by the context of the country of  operations. Corruption has an international dimension that cannot be overlooked, despite the fact that it occurs in a local context. For international corruption to succeed, it must be sustained by both the supply and demand of corrupt local practices. The main objective of this article is to bring to light the fact that multinational corporations (MNCs) have been supplying corruption to Africa, without critical examination, for many years. This study  systematically lays out empirical and anecdotal evidence to show that MNCs export corruption from their countries of origin into Africa. This will support the hypothesis that MNCs are not, in fact, victims, but active participants that are motivated by profit to exploit weak institutions in Africa. These foreign countries offer shelter to MNCs that fail to pay taxes and act as enablers of corrupt behavior, despite accusing African countries of being the most corrupt. They allow undisclosed bank accounts that hold cash embezzled from Africa and other developing regions. This inaction, or ineffective approach on the part of developed countries challenges the moral legitimacy of these countries to lecture African countries on how to deal with corruption.