Lesotho Ranks 16th in African Governance Index

Lesotho has achieved 16th place out of 54 African countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), with a score of 58.3 out of 100. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released the index on October 31, evaluating governance trends from 2016 to 2025. Lesotho's score surpasses the African average of 50.1 and the Southern African regional average of 56.1. The index assesses performance across four categories: Security and Rule of Law; Participation, Rights and Inclusion; Foundations for Economic Opportunity; and Human Development.

Lesotho's highest score was 64.1 in Participation, Rights and Inclusion, followed by 58.1 in Security and Rule of Law, 57.1 in Human Development, and 53.7 in Foundations for Economic Opportunity. All four categories saw improvements from 2016 to 2025. Participation, Rights and Inclusion increased by 2.2 points, Human Development and Security and Rule of Law each rose by 1.8 points, and Foundations for Economic Opportunity gained 1.7 points. The results indicate gradual overall improvement, but significant disparities in specific areas of governance.

Lesotho scored 100 in several factors, including the absence of armed conflict, laws against violence toward women, and civil registration. The country also reported strong performances in areas such as the absence of forced migration, educational human resources, and the lack of violence against civilians. Some high scores demonstrate advancements over the decade, including a 40-point increase in laws on violence against women and a 12.5-point rise in civil registration.

Despite progress, the index highlights persistent weaknesses in economic opportunity, public services, and rule of law. The lowest indicator was the transport network, scoring just 16.8. Other concerning scores included public perception of economic opportunities at 18.8, shipping and postal networks at 21.8, education enrollment at 24.9, and law enforcement at 25.8. Several indicators showed significant deterioration during the period, including a 36.8-point decline in public perception of obtaining an identity document.

The index also reported declines in food security, labor relations, and socioeconomic opportunities for women. However, there were improvements in areas like rural economic support, which rose by 32.9 points, and the disclosure of public records, which increased by 31.1 points. These findings suggest that while there has been overall progress, it has not been evenly distributed across various services and institutions.

Across Africa, the 2026 IIAG found a slight overall improvement in governance over the last decade, primarily driven by economic and human development. Infrastructure showed the most significant improvements among the index's 16 sub-categories, with education and health also witnessing gains in many countries. However, progress remains inconsistent, with security, rule of law, and participation continuing to deteriorate in various nations.

Mo Ibrahim, the chair and founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, emphasized that economic and social advancements are not sustainable without progress in security, rule of law, and participation. Lesotho's ranking positions it in the upper half of the African standings, but critical areas require attention, such as transport, economic opportunity, education enrollment, and law enforcement. The index provides valuable data for policymakers, researchers, and the public to compare performance and track changes over time.

Key points

• Lesotho scores 58.3 out of 100 in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
• The country ranks 16th out of 54 African countries in the index.
• Lesotho's score surpasses the African average of 50.1 and the Southern African regional average of 56.1.