The current study aimed at investigating the roots of corruption and its economic consequences in Egypt during different periods of economic transition. In other words, the current research sought exploring different forms and types of corruption and international and regional efforts devoted to tackle corruption, with special focus on anti-corruption strategies. In addition, it examined reasons behind the aggravation corruption in Egypt and evaluated the effectiveness of supervisory agencies in fighting it during the period 1974-2010. The thesis tested three hypotheses. The first hypothesis was that corruption adversely affects domestic and foreign investments, and accordingly, economic growth. Moreover, it hypothesised that the Economic Reform and Structural Adjustment Programme (ERSAP), adopted by Egypt at the beginning of 1990s, has resulted in increasing corruption and bribery rates. In addition, the existence of many supervisory agencies has not led to eliminating corruption in Egypt.
Conclusions reached here indicated that the most important reasons behind the intensification of corruption during the aforementioned period include low incomes of governmental employees, poor living standards, inefficient government administrations, complexity of regulations and laws, absence of democracy, and the low level of integrity of political leaders. The study confirmed results documented in literature that corruption negatively affects economic growth. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the anti-poor policies of the ERSAP have resulted in increasing crime and corruption rates during the study period. Furthermore, supervisory agencies have not played any effective roles in fighting corruption. The existence of many conflicting supervisory bodies in Egypt has contributed to increase levels of corruption and the assault of public funds.
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