Africa’s Governance Progress Stalls Amid Rising Conflict and Shrinking Democratic Space
A new report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has revealed that Africa’s overall governance progress came to a halt in 2022, following four years of stagnation. The 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) shows that despite significant advances in human and economic development, the continent’s security and democratic landscape continues to deteriorate.
The report, which covers the period from 2014 to 2023, found that only 52.1% of Africa’s population, living in 33 out of 54 countries, experienced progress in overall governance. The remaining half of the population saw a decline in governance, with 11 countries experiencing a concerning decade-long trend of deterioration.
Seychelles was ranked as the top-performing country in 2023, overtaking Mauritius, while Morocco was the only country among the top 10 to accelerate improvement over the decade. However, Mauritius, Botswana, and Tunisia, despite being among the top 10 highest-scoring countries, were found to be on a concerning trend of worsening deterioration.
The report highlights significant divergences at the sub-category level, with progress in economic and human development-related areas, such as infrastructure and women’s equality, being undermined by declines in security and democracy-related sub-categories.
Mo Ibrahim, the Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, warned that the deepening security crisis and shrinking participatory environment pose a significant threat to the continent’s progress. He emphasized that while the global crisis is a contributing factor, the situation in Africa is particularly concerning due to its impact on economic and social development.
The full 2024 IIAG dataset is available to access for free on the IIAG data portal at iiag.online.
Key Findings:
- Africa’s overall governance progress came to a halt in 2022, following four years of stagnation.
- Only 52.1% of Africa’s population experienced progress in overall governance, while the remaining half saw a decline.
- 11 countries experienced a concerning decade-long trend of deterioration, including Sudan, Comoros, Mali, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Niger, and Eswatini.
- Seychelles was ranked as the top-performing country in 2023, overtaking Mauritius.
- Morocco was the only country among the top 10 to accelerate improvement over the decade.
- Progress in economic and human development-related areas, such as infrastructure and women’s equality, was undermined by declines in security and democracy-related sub-categories.
Recommendations:
- African governments must prioritize addressing the deepening security crisis and shrinking participatory environment.
- Efforts to improve economic and human development must be accompanied by measures to strengthen security and democracy.
- The international community must provide support to African countries to address the global crisis and its impact on the continent.
Conclusion:
The 2024 IIAG report highlights the complex and diverse nature of Africa’s governance landscape. While there are concerns about the continent’s progress, there are also examples of successful trajectories and areas of progress. It is essential to recognize these divergences and work towards addressing the challenges facing the continent.
