By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Mauritius has been ranked as the most effective government in Africa, according to the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), followed by Rwanda and Botswana. Despite this, Africa recorded the lowest regional average in the global index, though modest gains were noted from 2024 to 2025.
At the regional launch of the index in Pretoria, South Africa, Dinesh Naidu, Director of Knowledge at the Chandler Institute of Governance, presented the findings. The event brought together stakeholders including policymakers, scholars, and governance experts to examine the state of governance across Africa.
Now in its fifth year, the CGGI evaluates government effectiveness across 120 countries, using seven pillars focused on capabilities and outcomes. The 2025 report presents a mixed view of Africa’s governance landscape, with some countries making notable progress despite ongoing challenges.
Naidu emphasized that while governance quality remains a concern for the continent, the improvements in some countries are encouraging. He stated, “African countries demonstrating strong governance despite global challenges can provide models for others.”
In the 2025 rankings, the top-performing African countries were:
Mauritius (51st globally)
Rwanda (59th)
Botswana (61st)
Morocco (75th)
South Africa (77th)
Mauritius maintained its position as Africa’s top-ranked country for the fifth year running. Rwanda was recognized as the highest-ranked low-income country worldwide, illustrating that effective governance is not solely dependent on national wealth.
Botswana’s ranking reflected improvements in its judiciary through digitalisation. Morocco showed advancements in transparency and digital infrastructure, while South Africa continued to perform well despite economic constraints.
Outside the top five, Tanzania demonstrated the most improvement since the Index was launched in 2021, moving up from 82nd to 78th globally. Key reforms, including the Digital Tanzania Project and the introduction of data protection laws, contributed to this progress.
Naidu remarked that building effective government takes time, but the steps taken by several African countries show potential for long-term institutional development.
Despite the gains, Africa continues to lag globally in governance standards, with financial stewardship remaining a key issue. Tight fiscal conditions and rising debt levels present ongoing challenges.
However, the continent’s young population offers opportunities for growth if governments can deliver in areas like employment, education, and inclusive development. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30, the potential for positive change remains significant.
The CGGI functions as a tool for governments to assess their performance, pinpoint areas for improvement, and learn from more successful peers. According to Naidu, efforts in digital governance and institutional reforms across Africa show that progress is achievable, even in difficult conditions.
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