Jump to navigation

Vol 61 No 23

Published 19th November 2020


Too low, says Mo

African governance is in decline and Covid-19 is likely to make it worse, according to The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's 2020 Index of African Governance published on 17 November.* The 'score' for overall governance in 2019, calculated by combining separate indices of human and economic development, declined by -0.2 points from 2018, the first year-on-year fall the Foundation has recorded in a decade (AC Vol 51 No 20, Buy now, vote later).

Only eight countries manage to improve in the index's four categories, covering Human Development, Foundations for Economic Opportunity, Security and Rule of Law, and Participation, Rights and Inclusion over the decade: Angola, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Seychelles, Sudan and Togo. 

Progress achieved over the past decade is threatened by the impact of Covid-19 on economies, the report says. It also warned of the risks from 'an increasingly precarious security situation and concerning erosion in rights as well as civic and democratic space.' The pre-Covid data covers 2019 and so could not take into account the postponement of elections in Ethiopia, the outbreak of severe conflict there, the widely discredited elections in Tanzania and the much-criticised 'third term' presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea.  

'The pandemic is just worsening an already alarming situation,' the report states. In more than half the countries surveyed, citizens are less satisfied with their country's governance performance than 10 years ago. The virus has highlighted gaps in African healthcare systems, the report stated, while noting that governments had 'limited capacity' to mitigate its economic effects. 

* mo.ibrahim.foundation/iiag/downloads



Related Articles

Buy now, vote later

Island states with small populations are among the best run; many of the bigger countries are getting richer but more oppressive

The latest Index of African Governance from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation does not explain whether African economies are doing better in spite of or because of more authoritarian, head...


The BRICS didn’t break out the bank

The emerging countries’ summit reached agreement on a currency stabilisation fund and ministers will continue negotiations on a new development bank

Symbolism and messages counted more than the details at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Durban, South Africa, on 26-27 March. So, after lengthy ...


Speedy motors miracle

Surprising customers and competitors, India's car exports are now beginning to capture Africa's markets

After a long courtship India's biggest car manufacturers are looking for rapid expansion in African markets. Indian vehicle makers are bullish on Africa and engaged in steadily e...


A question of control

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and its director, John Nkengasong, are in a turf war after winning praise for their leadership combatting the pandemic through...


Albright's team

The nomination of Madeleine Albright as President Bill Clinton's new Secretary of State for African Affairs opens the way for a reshuffle of the Africa department's officials. Most...