# African governance improves slightly as security and rights deteriorate

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/economies-are-improving-but-rule-of-law-is-slipping-the-buck-now-stops-with-africas-leaders-kenneth-mohammed/
- Published: 2026-11-11T09:00:34+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T09:47:31+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/nov/11/mo-ibrahim-africa-governance-colonialism-power-development-corruption-buck-stops
- Topics: Africa, Business, World

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.