The 10 Best-Governed African Countries in 2025
The quality of governance remains one of the most decisive factors shaping Africa’s development, influencing everything from economic stability to social cohesion. While many nations continue to struggle with weak institutions and policy execution, a handful of African countries are demonstrating that effective governance is possible even in challenging environments.
Global Governance Trends
The Country Governance and Government Index (CGGI)—an annual ranking that assesses 120 countries across 35 governance indicators—measures institutional effectiveness, policy implementation, transparency, and public accountability.
Its 2025 findings show a worrying global trend: more than half of the assessed countries experienced declines in governance performance between 2021 and 2025.
Regional disparities are widening.
- Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific recorded modest gains.
- Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean slipped further, underlining a deepening governance gap.
Despite these challenges, several African nations are proving to be regional role models by strengthening institutions and embracing reforms that boost stability and public trust.
Africa’s Top 10 Best-Governed Countries (2025 CGGI Rankings)
| Rank | Country | Global Position | CGGI Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mauritius | 51 | 0.553 |
| 2 | Rwanda | 59 | 0.507 |
| 3 | Botswana | 61 | 0.501 |
| 4 | Morocco | 75 | 0.466 |
| 5 | South Africa | 77 | 0.461 |
| 6 | Tanzania | 78 | 0.457 |
| 7 | Egypt | 81 | 0.440 |
| 8 | Senegal | 83 | 0.430 |
| 9 | Ghana | 86 | 0.430 |
| 10 | Namibia | 90 | 0.415 |
Standout Performers
- Mauritius retains its position as Africa’s best-governed country for the fifth consecutive year, ranking 51st globally.
- Rwanda ranks 59th worldwide and is recognized as the best-performing low-income country globally, proving wealth is not a prerequisite for strong governance.
- Botswana is commended for judicial digitalization reforms, boosting transparency and efficiency.
- Morocco has made strides in data transparency and digital infrastructure.
- South Africa, despite fiscal challenges, continues to serve as a benchmark for institutional strength on the continent.
Africa’s Governance Outlook
Speaking at the Index’s African regional launch in Pretoria, Dinesh Naidu, Director of Knowledge at the Chandler Institute of Governance, noted that Africa’s average governance score remains the lowest globally. However, modest improvements recorded between 2024 and 2025 suggest an upward trajectory.
“High-performing African countries are demonstrating progress in areas like digital reforms, transparency, and institutional resilience,” Naidu said. “These advances can inspire peers across the continent, even amid global uncertainty.”
The CGGI report underscores that while Africa faces steep governance challenges, success stories like Mauritius, Rwanda, and Botswana highlight the transformative impact of effective institutions. Strong governance, the report suggests, remains the most reliable pathway to sustainable development and resilience in an unpredictable world.
