Mo Ibrahim Index 2024 : progress to be consolidated

By the editorial team

The 2024 report of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, reveals that governance on the African continent has reached a point of stagnation since 2022. This finding is particularly worrying in a context where security and democracy are deteriorating, threatening the advances made in human and economic development.

For the period 2014-2023, data collected from 49 independent sources on 322 variables shows that only 33 countries, representing 52.1% of the African population, have recorded limited progress in governance. For the rest of the population, the situation in 2023 is even worse than it was in 2014.

Uneven performance among countries

Despite this concerning picture, the report highlights significant disparities among the 54 African countries. Among them, 13 countries, including Egypt, Morocco, and Côte d’Ivoire, have managed to improve their governance since 2014, with some even accelerating their progress starting in 2019. Seychelles, for example, jumped by 10 points, taking the top position in the ranking in 2023, while other countries like Sudan and Mali suffer from an alarming decline in their situations.

The report notes that 11 countries have experienced concerning deterioration, with severe consequences for their development. However, this downward trend is not uniform, and some countries, such as Benin and Angola, show significant successes. This demonstrates that notable progress remains possible, even in a challenging environment.

A call for optimism

Mo Ibrahim, president of the Foundation, stated, “Let’s not reduce the continent to a simple average. Our vast continent comprises 54 countries, each with different performances and trends.” He thus highlights that successes in areas such as infrastructure and gender parity show that progress is possible despite the challenges.

The IIAG 2024 results also reveal improvements in sub-categories related to economic and human development, particularly in mobile communications, digital access, and energy. Indeed, nearly 95% of the population lives in countries where the level reached in 2023 is significantly better than in 2014.

However, the situation in terms of security and democracy remains concerning, with more than 77% of the population living in countries where these areas have declined. The most deteriorated indicator is the perception of economic opportunities, which has dropped by 12.4 points.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s report serves as a call to action for African leaders and citizens. While challenges remain, it is essential to recognize successes and learn from countries that show positive performances. By continuing to invest in infrastructure, promote inclusion, and improve governance, Africa can hope for a more prosperous and stable future. Through its analyses, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation continues to encourage dialogue and initiatives aimed at strengthening governance across the continent.

To download the full report: Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2024