Classic corruption offenses such as bribery have already been criminalized under Kuwait Law No. 16/1960 Promulgating the Penal Code and the amending laws. Despite this, various types of petty and not-so-petty corruption persist, inflicting grave economic damage and undermining trust in state institutions. Negative rankings in various international corruption indices and government measures aimed at attracting foreign investment provided a strong impetus for wider structural reforms. Kuwait Law No. 2/2016 On the Establishment of the Public Authority for Anti-Corruption and the Provisions Related to Financial Disclosure is the farthest-reaching law in this respect, drafted in line with the standards set out in the UN Convention Against Corruption and the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention .

The four main pillars of Kuwait Law No. 2/2016 are the establishment of the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), promotion of transparency through the disclosure of assets and liabilities of officials, protection of whistleblowers, and the raising of public awareness of harmful effects of corruption.