The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released its 2026 Africa Governance Index, evaluating 54 African countries between 2016-2025. Benin achieved a score of 60.1/100, surpassing the continental average of 50.1 and the West African regional average of 52.9. This ranking positions Benin 12th out of 54 African countries, demonstrating a notable improvement in governance over the past decade. The country's score increased by 2.6 points since 2016.
Benin made significant strides in economic opportunities, recording the highest progress on the continent. The country showed remarkable improvement in the categories of Economic Opportunities Foundations (+12.3 points) and Business and Labor Environment (+12.8 points). These advancements were primarily driven by major developments in Infrastructure (+16.7 points) and Public Administration (+14.6 points).
In regional integration, Benin secured the second position in Africa. The country also ranked third in Budgetary and Financial Management and Administrative Effectiveness. These rankings reflect Benin's efforts to enhance its economic and administrative systems, contributing to its overall governance improvement.
Despite these achievements, Benin experienced a decline in democratic participation and accountability. The country's Participation category decreased by 18.6 points since 2016, largely due to significant drops in Democratic Elections (-36.3 points) and Absence of Undue Influence (-47.2 points). Additionally, Anti-Corruption measures regressed by 27.7 points, even as corruption levels improved.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's report highlights the complexities of Benin's governance landscape. While the country has made considerable progress in economic and administrative areas, it faces challenges in maintaining democratic participation and accountability. These findings underscore the need for continued efforts to address these concerns.
The report also mentions that Benin's progress has been accelerating in recent years. The country's score has improved steadily, indicating a positive trend in its governance. This upward trajectory suggests that Benin's efforts to enhance its governance systems are yielding results.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Africa Governance Index provides a comprehensive assessment of governance in African countries. The report offers valuable insights into Benin's strengths and weaknesses, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and address areas that require improvement. The index serves as a useful tool for tracking progress and promoting good governance across the continent.
Key points
- Benin ranks 12th in African governance with a score of 60.1/100.
- The country recorded significant progress in economic opportunities and regional integration.
- Despite progress, Benin faces challenges in democratic participation and accountability.
