World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
Africa’s economy improves as security and political rights decline
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s index found mixed progress across Africa from 2016 to 2025.
Economic conditions improved in 44 of the continent’s 54 countries, while security and the rule of law worsened in 34.
The index also found gains in infrastructure, health, education and women’s equality, but political participation and freedoms declined in many countries.
Overall, 30 countries scored better than in 2016, 23 scored worse and one was unchanged.
Because some of the countries with falling scores, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa, have large populations, more than half of Africans live in countries with lower overall scores.
Seychelles ranked first, while South Sudan ranked last, and Burkina Faso had the steepest decline.
Mo Ibrahim said leaders were taking cues from the rise of strongmen elsewhere, as coups and wars have affected the continent.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s report found economic progress in many African countries over the past decade, alongside declines in security and political rights.
Economic conditions improved in 44 of Africa’s 54 countries between 2016 and 2025, while security and rule of law worsened in 34.
Nearly half of Africa’s population lives in 25 countries where economic conditions improved as security and rule of law declined.
The Seychelles ranked first in the index, while South Sudan ranked last.
Burkina Faso recorded the steepest decline, amid Islamist violence and restrictions on political freedoms.
- Who
- The Mo Ibrahim Foundation assessed governance and public services across African countries.
- What
- Its report found broad economic progress but declines in security, rights and political participation.
- When
- The assessment covers 2016 to 2025.
- Where
- Across Africa.
- Why
- The sources describe changes in economic conditions, security and rights but do not state a single cause for the overall trends.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation assessed changes in governance and public services across African countries.
The foundation’s report was reported as showing economic advances alongside declines in security and rights.
- Economic progress
- 44 of 54 countries
- Security and rule of law
- Declined in 34 countries
- Combined trend
- 25 countries saw economic conditions improve as security and rule of law worsened
- Overall index
- 30 countries improved, 23 declined and one was unchanged
- Top-ranked country
- Seychelles
- Largest decline
- Burkina Faso
3 sources
What people are saying
hunted and physically attacked