Mauritania has been ranked 41st out of 54 African countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, scoring 42.2 points out of 100. The index, released by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, covers the period from 2016 to 2025. Despite a slight improvement over the past decade, Mauritania remains below the African average. The country's performance is also ranked seventh among ten Arab African countries included in the index.
The Ibrahim Index of African Governance is one of the most prominent references for measuring governance performance in African countries. The index assesses various aspects of governance, including security and the rule of law, participation and rights, economic opportunities, and human development. Mauritania's score is approximately eight points below the African average of 50.1 and over ten points below the North African average of 52.5.
Over the past ten years, Mauritania's overall performance has improved by 1.6 points. The most significant improvement was recorded in the security and rule of law category, with a 3.4-point increase, followed by a 3.2-point increase in participation and rights. However, the country's economic opportunities category showed no improvement, and human development decreased by 0.4 points.
In the Arab African countries ranking, Mauritania is surpassed by Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Djibouti, and the Comoros. The top-ranked countries in the index are Seychelles, Mauritius, Cape Verde, and Botswana. Seychelles leads the continental ranking with a score of 78.6 points. The index also reveals that 30 countries improved their governance performance, while 23 experienced a decline.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's report highlights that many countries have achieved economic and social gains at the expense of security and the rule of law. According to the foundation's president, Mo Ibrahim, such trade-offs are unsustainable. The report also notes that infrastructure development has been a significant area of progress, with 52 countries showing improvement.
The Ibrahim Index has been published annually since 2007 and is widely regarded as a reliable indicator of governance performance in African countries. The index provides a comprehensive assessment of governance in Africa, highlighting areas of progress and decline. The report is expected to inform policy decisions and promote good governance practices across the continent.
The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance was launched on October 31 in Cairo, Egypt. The report provides a detailed analysis of governance trends in Africa, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the continent. As Mauritania continues to strive for improvement, the index serves as a valuable tool for evaluating its progress and identifying areas for reform.
Key points
- Mauritania scores 42.2 points out of 100 in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
- The country ranks 41st out of 54 African countries and seventh among ten Arab African countries.
- Mauritania's performance has improved by 1.6 points over the past decade, but remains below the African average.
