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Celebrating Excellence in Journalism: The 2025 TRACE Prize Winners

The TRACE Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting commercial transparency, has just announced the recipients of the 2025 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting. This prestigious annual award, along with a cash prize, recognizes exceptional journalism that sheds light on issues of business corruption and financial crime.

Honoring Investigative Prowess

This year, the award went to several remarkable projects that illustrate the critical role investigative journalism plays in holding power to account. The top prize was awarded to The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists for their in-depth exposé titled "Caspian Cabals." This piece offered a comprehensive analysis of a multinational oil scandal, highlighting not just the specific case but also emphasizing that corruption transcends borders, cultures, and industries. The meticulous reporting and global relevance of this investigation made it a standout winner.

In addition to this esteemed award, Elijah Kanyi and Cynthia Gichiri were recognized for their compelling documentary, "Fertile Deception." This powerful narrative investigates the scandal of counterfeit fertilizer sales that plagued Kenyan agriculture during a critical time. Their investigative approach was exemplary; they confirmed whistleblower testimonies with filmed evidence, validated product quality in accredited laboratories, and meticulously tracked corporate documentation. Most significantly, they captured the human impact of these deceitful practices, making their work both informative and poignant.

Honorable Mentions

The judging panel awarded honorable mentions to two additional significant pieces of journalism. The first went to Gloria Pallares for her report titled "False Claims of UN Backing See Indigenous Groups Cede Forest Rights for Sketchy Finance." This article unveils the unsettling truth about how various actors, from local influencers to international organizations, conspire to dispossess indigenous populations of their lands within fragile ecosystems. Pallares’s work is crucial in revealing how financial frameworks can exploit vulnerable communities while promoting questionable environmental practices, often whitewashed as sustainable solutions.

The second honorable mention was given to Philip Teye Agbove and Justice Baidoo for their daring documentary, "Death and Brutality: The Battle for West Africa's Largest Salt Deposit." This courageous investigation delves into corruption within salt deposit leases in West Africa, created under perilous conditions. The journalists faced serious threats, including surveillance and legal intimidation, as they pursued the truth amid substantial risks. Their bravery and commitment to exposing the corruption behind such resources earned them this recognition.

The Judging Panel

The selection was evaluated by a distinguished panel that included Diana B. Henriques, William Gumede, Rosebell Kagumire, Peter Klein, Jorge Luis Sierra, and Amjad Tadros. Their expertise ensured a fair assessment of the numerous powerful entries.

To discover more about the 2025 honorees and their exceptional works, further information can be found on the TRACE Foundation’s website.

This year's awards and the quality of the work recognized highlight the vital importance of investigative journalism in a world where transparency is often lacking. The TRACE Prize not only appreciates those who dare to uncover the hidden truths but also inspires others in the field to continue their essential work.