An Afrobarometer survey has found that citizens' perceptions of the extent of corruption in Namibia have increased, although the share of those who think so has decreased significantly in recent years. 

These findings could significantly impact the upcoming elections due to public concern over governance and transparency.

65% of Namibians say corruption in the country has increased "somewhat" or "a lot" during the year preceding the survey. That is, however, a 13% drop since 2017.

The study shows that Namibians overwhelmingly believe that corruption currently floods various sectors. 

The majority of respondents believe that at least "some" members and representatives of central, regional, and local government, as well as those in state offices, civil society, and business, involve themselves in corrupt practices.

Various studies conducted by Christiaan Keulder, National Investigator for Afrobarometer, and Graham Hopwood, Executive Director for the Institute of Public Policy Research, revealed these findings and suggested these factors may influence the results of the upcoming national elections.

"It will be a legitimacy issue that will let fewer people vote, so the government survives on fewer and fewer people, and those people often feel that the government is treating them either unfairly or in a sense of corruption; they just don't trust them at all," explained Keulder.

Perceptions of rising corruption increase dramatically with citizens' experience of lived poverty, ranging from 56% among those with no or low-lived poverty to between 72% and 73% for those experiencing moderate to high-lived poverty.

Hopwood says the findings suggest that parties will have to clearly demonstrate to voters how they plan to combat corruption.

"I think the voters will continue to be disillusioned and hypocritical, possibly in this election, because they are disturbed by corruption because politicians do not post any solutions, possible answers, or positive."