Sexual corruption, informal networks and female entrepreneurship

Evidence from Burkina Faso

Bibliographic Data

ID24226673
AuthorsDoris Aja-Eke (0000-0001-8711-3320, University College Dublin), Robert Gillanders (0000-0001-9462-0005, Dublin City University Business School, and DCU Anti-Corruption Research Centre), Roisin Lyons (0000-0002-3200-4079, University of Limerick), Idrissa Ouedraogo (Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences Économiques et de Gestion, CEDRES, Université Thomas Sankara (UTS)), Windkouni Haoua Eugenie Maïga (0000-0003-2735-8945, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences Economiques et de Gestion, Université Norbert Zongo), Zalissa Wanga (Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo)
Year2026
Pages1-19
Publication date2026-10-09
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThird World Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0143-6597 • E-ISSN: 1360-2241
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01436597.2026.2729616
OpenAlexW7221170867
LanguageEN
References cited35

Sexual corruption occurs when public officials abuse their power to obtain sex or sexual favours. It is a hugely damaging yet underreported and understudied form of corruption that predominantly affects women and vulnerable people. This paper studies the impacts of sexual corruption on female entrepreneurs. It expands the literature on sexual corruption by examining how female entrepreneurs who participated in focus group discussions in Burkina Faso view sexual corruption and its impacts, and how they protect themselves. With the utilisation of an inductive approach, specifically, thematic analysis, we show that sexual corruption is a real and significant threat that female entrepreneurs face. Our findings point to the considerable risks that sexual corruption poses to female entrepreneurs. Predatory male civil servants make sexual demands when women are most desperate and at risk of financial ruin. Sexual corruption is facilitated by corrupt male-dominated informal networks. This is exacerbated by the direct physical contact required for most entrepreneurial activities, particularly in dealing with governmental and civil service officials. Our focus group participants identified several ways in which the risk of sexual corruption might be reduced. These included reducing physical contact between civil servants and the public across all sectors by promoting e-governance, and the encouragement of female-led associations.

Burkina Faso · digital governance · gender and corruption · informal networks · public sector employees · sexual corruption · Sexual harassment · Women entrepreneurs · Corruption and Economic Development · Gender, Security, and Conflict · Sex work and related issues

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