Perceived Transparency, Accountability, and Responsiveness as Drivers of Corruption Prevention in Local Government: Evidence from Somalia

Corruption remains a significant challenge to effective governance, particularly in fragile states where institutional weaknesses and limited public oversight undermine accountability. This study examines how perceived transparency, perceived accountability, and perceived responsiveness influence corruption reduction in the local government of Mogadishu, Somalia. A quantitative approach was employed using convenience sampling, yielding 330 respondents who completed an online structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess measurement validity and estimate structural relationships. The results show that all three governance constructs significantly reduce corruption, with perceived accountability exerting the strongest influence, followed by perceived transparency and perceived responsiveness. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening accountability mechanisms, enhancing transparency, and improving responsiveness to mitigate corruption in fragile post-conflict contexts. The study provides practical implications for policymakers and civil society actors working to improve local governance and anti-corruption initiatives in Somalia.