African governance improves but remains uneven
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Jornal F8
The 2026 Ibrahim Index finds an overall improvement in African governance between 2016 and 2025, driven particularly by the economy, infrastructure, health and education. Progress nevertheless remains uneven and fragile across the 54 countries studied, according to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which uses 96 indicators.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation published the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance on 31 October, assessing the public performance of the continent’s 54 countries over the 2016-2025 period. The index measures four dimensions using 96 indicators from 51 sources, according to Jornal F8.
Overall governance has improved in Africa, but progress remains uneven and fragile. Advances mainly came from the foundations for economic opportunities and human development, with notable improvements in infrastructure, health and education, according to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
Infrastructure was the fastest-improving sub-category: 52 countries, representing 84% of Africa’s population, recorded an improvement between 2016 and 2025. Education improved in 34 countries, covering 75% of the population, and health in 40 countries, representing 87% of Africans.
These advances coexist with a decline in security and the rule of law in 34 countries, representing 78% of the population, as well as a deterioration in participation, rights and inclusion in 31 countries, representing 60% of the population, according to the index. The publication adds to results already reported on economic progress and declining freedoms in 25 African countries on 31 October.
