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African governance improves slightly as security and rights deteriorate
The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance finds that Africa’s average governance score improved slightly over the past decade, driven by gains in economic opportunity and human development. But security, the rule of law, participation, rights and inclusion weakened, putting the durability of economic progress in doubt. The article argues that the index gives Africans a broad, locally shaped way to assess their governments, while challenging leaders to take responsibility for the problems it identifies.
The index covers 54 countries using 96 indicators drawn from 51 sources. From 2016 to 2025, the average score rose 0.8 points to 50.1 out of 100: 30 countries improved, 23 declined and one was unchanged. Security and rule of law fell 1.7 points, and 28 countries, home to almost 60% of Africa’s population, saw corruption worsen. The article notes that citizens can use mobile phones to expose misconduct, but lasting accountability depends on independent investigators and courts.
In short
- Africa’s governance score rose only 0.8 points in a decade.
- Economic gains coincided with weaker security and rule of law.
- Exposure of misconduct does not guarantee accountability.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The index offers a broad, locally shaped way to track governance across the continent, and its findings show modest gains in economic opportunity and human development. Supporters could argue that publishing both progress and setbacks gives citizens useful evidence to scrutinise leaders and press for reforms, while the uneven country results caution against treating Africa as a single story.
The case against
Critics could question whether a composite index built from many indicators and sources captures the different realities of 54 countries or gives a sufficiently clear basis for judging their governments. They might also argue that public rankings and citizen reporting have limited force where independent investigators, courts and other accountability institutions are weak, and that small average gains may obscure serious deterioration in security and rights.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Economies are improving, but rule of law is slipping. The buck now stops with Africa’s leaders | Kenneth Mohammed”.