Africa recorded the second-highest rate of governance improvement globally in 2026, with 71 per cent of countries assessed in both the 2025 and 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) registering higher overall scores. However, the continent remains the lowest-ranked region overall, underscoring the challenge of translating institutional improvements into lasting benefits for citizens.
The findings were highlighted by the Chandler Governance Group (CGG) during a joint session with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to launch the 13th edition of the Rwanda Governance Scorecard at the Kigali Serena Hotel on October 22, 2026.
Africa’s strongest gains over the past year were recorded in Financial Stewardship, followed by Helping People Rise, which measures government performance in improving people’s lives through areas such as education and healthcare.
“This year, Africa’s strongest gains came in Financial Stewardship, followed by Helping People Rise, the CGGI’s outcomes pillar. This signals that stronger government capabilities are beginning to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives, from access to quality education and healthcare to the public finances that fund them. The task now is to sustain that progress over the coming years,” said Dinesh Naidu, Director of Knowledge at CGG.
Now in its sixth edition, the CGGI assesses government capabilities and effectiveness across 133 countries, representing 94 per cent of the world’s population. The Index measures 35 equally weighted indicators across seven pillars, offering governments a framework to benchmark performance, identify institutional weaknesses and learn from international best practices.
Globally, 61 per cent of the 120 countries assessed in both 2025 and 2026 recorded higher scores, the highest annual proportion of improving countries since the Index was launched in 2021. However, the longer-term picture remains mixed, with only 43 per cent of the 104 countries tracked since 2021 registering an overall improvement.
Mauritius leads Africa’s governance rankings
Mauritius remains Africa’s highest-ranked country, placing 55th globally, followed by Rwanda at 62nd, Botswana at 70th, Morocco at 79th and Tanzania at 80th. South Africa ranks sixth on the continent, occupying 85th place globally.
Rwanda stands out for its performance in Leadership and Foresight, where it ranks 11th globally. It is also the highest-ranked low-income country in the Index, performing 61 places above the position predicted by its income level.
The findings suggest that national wealth alone does not determine governance outcomes. Government capabilities, including institutional effectiveness, strategic leadership and the ability to implement policies, play an important role in delivering better results for citizens.
The partnership between CGG and RGB brings international governance benchmarks together with Rwanda’s country-specific assessment, helping identify priorities for institutional reform and public-sector performance.
Financial management and public services drive gains
Across Africa, average scores improved in six of the seven CGGI pillars over the past year. The strongest gains in Financial Stewardship and Helping People Rise point to progress in managing public resources and strengthening outcomes associated with essential services.
Longer-term trends also reveal areas of improvement. Nearly every African country assessed consistently between 2021 and 2026 improved its Data Capability score, with Morocco recording the largest gains in this area.
Ghana’s overall score improved in 2026, supported by stronger Financial Stewardship. South Africa also maintained relative strength in Robust Laws and Policies, ranking 44th globally, and Attractive Marketplace, where it placed 48th.
Despite these improvements, Africa’s governance challenges remain substantial. The region’s average score is still below its 2021 level, while 23 of the 35 African countries included in the 2026 Index rank outside the global top 100. None features among the top 50 countries.
Seven countries—Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia and Togo—were included in the Index for the first time this year, expanding its coverage of governance performance across the continent.
Turning improvements into lasting outcomes
The latest results highlight the need for African governments to build on recent gains by strengthening institutions, improving public financial management and ensuring policies translate into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
“Rankings provide a useful starting point, but the broader value of the CGGI lies in helping governments understand where they are making progress and where further work is needed. Sustained improvements depend on the ability to strengthen institutions, manage resources responsibly and turn policy into meaningful outcomes for citizens,” Naidu said.
The CGGI is designed as a diagnostic tool rather than simply a ranking system, enabling governments to track performance over time, identify gaps and learn from countries facing similar constraints.
“Every country faces its own governance challenges and is driven by varying priorities. Governments that are willing to take stock of the evidence and learn from peers to strengthen their institutions are well placed to achieve real improvements,” Naidu said.
For Africa, the central challenge is no longer simply recording progress, but sustaining it through accountable institutions, effective public spending and consistent delivery of services that improve living standards across the continent.
