In a recent episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, Hisham Allam discussed with Phil Mason, a leading player in the global fight against corruption. Mr. Mason, who has over 20 years of experience at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and a long history of international anti-corruption operations, discussed the multifaceted problems and solutions that have defined his career. His insights showed the complexity of corruption in development work and provided a new viewpoint on how development agencies may better address this widespread problem.
Throughout the conversation, Mason was clear: corruption is not just a governance issue—it is a systemic threat to all development sectors.
“Corruption distorts everything it touches—education, healthcare, infrastructure,” he remarked. “It’s not just an inconvenience; it directly undermines the potential for real, sustainable progress in developing countries.”
He emphasized that the fight against corruption cannot be siloed into specialized areas but must be a core consideration across all sectors of development work.
Download the transcript of this episode.
One of the most significant issues Mason saw was the internal fight inside development agencies to take a holistic strategy to corruption.
“Too often, corruption is seen as the governance team’s problem,” Mason added. “But corruption is a multifaceted issue. It must be interwoven into health, education, and infrastructure projects—all aspects of development.”
He stated that separating corruption from other development projects reduces the overall effectiveness of anti-corruption operations.
Mason also emphasized the external pressures and challenges that development agencies confront while addressing corruption in collaboration with foreign governments.
“One of the biggest challenges is that, in many cases, the partner governments we’re working with are part of the problem,” he remarked with candor. “How can you combat corruption in a system where those you deal with are complicit? It’s an enormous conundrum.”
He further advocated for a more unified approach between development agencies and other government departments, such as foreign ministries and trade offices.
“Corruption isn’t just a development issue,” Mason emphasized. “We need an all-of-government approach. Diplomatic pressure and international trade policies can be leveraged to help combat corruption at higher levels. It can’t just be left to the development agency.”
Moving on to remedies, Mason outlined some of the most beneficial developments in the battle against corruption during the last two decades. Open procurement, e-governance, and asset declarations are all examples of transparency techniques that have helped to reduce corruption.
“We’ve realized that instead of trying to make bad people good, the real game-changer is to reduce their opportunities to be bad,” Mason told me. “Tools like e-procurement and transparency systems raise the risk of getting caught and reduce the room for corrupt behavior.”
He also highlighted the growing use of big data in anti-corruption initiatives.
“The ability to analyze massive amounts of data and create heat maps of where corruption exists has been transformative,” according to Mason. “This is no longer just about anecdotal evidence—we now have the tools to track corruption in real-time and at scale.”
However, Mason was quick to point out that technological advancements alone are insufficient.
“Transparency is crucial, but it’s only half the battle,” he stated. “What really important is the follow-up. When corruption is exposed, we need to see genuine consequences. Otherwise, it’s just window dressing.”
He used India’s I Paid a Bribe campaign as an example, noting its success in allowing citizens to denounce corrupt activity while criticizing its lack of enforcement tools.
“It’s cathartic to report, but if nothing happens afterward, the impact is lost,” he told me.
Mason reflected on his work and highlighted crucial personal lessons garnered over the years in the sector. One key message was the value of resilience.
“Corruption is one of those battles where you have to keep going, even when the victories are small,” he told me. “It’s easy to become discouraged because corruption fights back, firmly rooted in the institutions we’re attempting to repair. However, giving up is not an option.”
Mason also expressed frustration with the constraints imposed by development project timelines.
“We’re still trying to fit anti-corruption work into these rigid three- to five-year project cycles,” he remarked. “But corruption is not something you solve in five years. It’s a generational problem. We need to rethink how we structure our programs to allow for long-term, sustained efforts.”
He concluded the conversation by urging development agencies to break free from traditional, rigid structures.
“We have to get anti-corruption efforts out of this development straightjacket,” Mason stated. “Our current approach just isn’t built for the long haul. If we’re serious about tackling corruption, we need to be willing to adapt and invest in long-term strategies.”
For listeners interested in understanding the depth of corruption in development work and the innovations driving change, Phil Mason’s insights provide a powerful perspective on the challenges and the necessary solutions.
Listen to our latest podcast for more on Phil Mason’s vast experience and how development agencies can better confront the pervasive issue of corruption.
