GOVERNANCE has worsened for nearly half of Africa’s citizens over the past decade, with deteriorating security at the heart of the decline, according to a new report. The latest Ibrahim Index of African Governance reveals that while 33 countries have made positive strides, governance standards in 21 nations, accounting for just under half of the continent’s population, have slipped between 2014 and 2023.
The report, released by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, highlights that major setbacks have occurred in countries like Nigeria and Uganda, particularly in the latter half of the decade. ‘We see a vast arc of instability and conflict,’ said Mo Ibrahim in an interview with Reuters. ‘The biggest driver of this governance decline is the lack of security and safety for our people, which is pulling everything down.’
Security at the core of the decline
The findings point to a surge in violence and conflict, particularly in West Africa and Sudan, where coups and civil unrest have further undermined governance. Ibrahim emphasised that poor governance itself breeds instability. ‘If governance deteriorates, corruption thrives, and marginalisation spreads, people will eventually resort to violence,’ he warned.
Despite these grim trends, the report also highlighted areas of progress. Infrastructure improvements, from better mobile phone access to energy provision, have benefited 95 percent of Africans. In addition, strides in gender equality, particularly in women’s leadership, have been notable.
Perception vs reality
While health, education, and business environments have shown improvements across much of the continent, public perception remains overwhelmingly negative. All public perception indicators, aside from those related to women’s leadership, have declined, with the most significant drops seen in economic opportunities and personal safety.
This disconnect between measurable progress and public sentiment may stem from heightened expectations in countries where progress has been made. However, Ibrahim cautioned that this dissatisfaction poses a serious risk. ‘If public dissatisfaction continues to grow, it could lead to unrest, increased migration, and further conflict,’ he added.
The report sheds light on a continent grappling with both advances and setbacks, as security issues overshadow much-needed progress in governance. Without addressing the root causes of instability, the risk of further decline remains high.
