Kenya has been ranked 10th among Africa's 54 countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), scoring 61 out of 100. The report, released by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation on October 31, 2026, highlights both improvements and setbacks in the country's governance over the past decade. This ranking places Kenya above the continental average of 50.1 and Eastern Africa's regional average of 47.5.
Kenya's overall score improved by 0.9 points between 2016 and 2025. The country's strongest gains were recorded in Foundations for Economic Opportunity, which rose by 4.1 points to 65.3. This category assesses factors such as infrastructure, business environment, and access to markets. Kenya also made progress in Participation, Rights, and Inclusion, scoring 62.4, and Human Development, scoring 62.3.
Despite these improvements, Security and Rule of Law emerged as the country's biggest governance concern, declining by 4.2 points to 54. This category evaluates factors such as the rule of law, human rights, and access to justice. The assessment also identified weaknesses in public procurement, which scored 29.7 points after losing 36.4 points over the review period.
Other declining indicators included public perception of the rule of law, which fell to 37.3, media freedom at 56.6, and public perception of anti-corruption efforts at 27.9. However, Kenya registered improvements in several areas, including protection against discrimination, internet access, energy access, and education completion. These gains suggest that the country is making progress in promoting human development and economic opportunity.
At the continental level, Seychelles topped the rankings, followed by Mauritius, Cabo Verde, Botswana, and South Africa. Namibia, Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana completed the top 10 alongside Kenya. The index assesses governance across 54 African countries using 96 indicators drawn from 51 independent data sources. Its four main areas are Security and Rule of Law; Participation, Rights and Inclusion; Foundations for Economic Opportunity; and Human Development.
The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance also highlights the challenges facing many African countries. At the bottom of the rankings are South Sudan, which occupies 54th position, followed by Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Libya, and Guinea-Bissau. These countries face significant governance challenges, including conflict, corruption, and human rights abuses.
The report's findings suggest that Kenya has made progress in improving its governance, but there is still much work to be done. The country's weaknesses in Security and Rule of Law, public procurement, and anti-corruption efforts must be addressed to ensure sustainable progress. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's report provides a valuable tool for assessing governance in Africa and identifying areas for improvement.
Key points
- Kenya ranks 10th in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, scoring 61 out of 100.
- The country's strongest gains were recorded in Foundations for Economic Opportunity, which rose by 4.1 points to 65.3.
- Security and Rule of Law emerged as the country's biggest governance concern, declining by 4.2 points to 54.
