The 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) report has been released, evaluating the governance of 54 African countries from 2016 to 2025. Mauritius has maintained its position as a leading institution in Africa, ranking second with a score of 75.0 out of 100. This score is significantly higher than the continental average of 50.1 points and the Eastern African average of 47.5 points. The country ranks just behind the Seychelles, which holds the top spot with a score of 78.6 points.
Despite its high ranking, Mauritius has experienced a decline in its score over the past decade, with a net decrease of 1.9 points from 2016 to 2025. This decline has resulted in the country losing its position as the African leader to the Seychelles, which has seen a significant improvement of 8.3 points over the same period. However, Mauritius has shown signs of recovery over the past five years (2021-2025). The country's performance in various areas of governance has been mixed, with notable strengths in infrastructure and economic development.
The IIAG report highlights that Mauritius has excelled in the categories of Foundations for Economic Opportunity and Human Development. The country's advancements in mobile telecommunications, internet access, and port infrastructure have contributed to its competitiveness. However, the report also notes a decline in the areas of Security & Rule of Law and Participation, Rights & Inclusion. This decline is attributed to erosion in specific indicators, including media freedom, civic space, and institutional checks.
The IIAG 2026 report provides a comprehensive overview of the governance landscape in Africa. The report reveals that the continental average for overall governance has increased by 0.8 points between 2016 and 2025, reaching 50.1 out of 100. This progress has been uneven, with a period of stagnation during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021) followed by a recovery since 2022. The report also identifies that 30 African countries, home to 49.6% of the continent's population, have improved their governance scores over the past decade.
The report categorizes countries into different trends based on their governance performance. The most common trend is "Increasing Improvement," with 18 countries showing a steady increase in their scores. However, the report also notes that 11 countries have experienced significant declines in their scores, with seven of these countries having experienced at least one coup d'état. These countries include Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Mali, Guinea, and Tunisia.
In addition to Mauritius, other countries have also shown notable changes in their rankings. The Seychelles has maintained its top position, while the Cap Verde has ranked third with a score of 70.3 points. The report also highlights the remarkable progress made by Morocco, which has gained 6.4 points and eight places, rising to seventh position and replacing Tunisia in the top 10.
The IIAG report emphasizes the importance of continued improvement in governance across Africa. While some countries have made significant strides, others face challenges in areas such as security, rule of law, and participation. The report provides a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders seeking to understand the complexities of governance in Africa and identify areas for improvement.
Key points
- Mauritius ranks second in the 2026 IIAG report with a score of 75.0 out of 100.
- The country has experienced a decline in its score over the past decade, with a net decrease of 1.9 points from 2016 to 2025.
- The IIAG report highlights the need for continued improvement in governance across Africa, with a focus on areas such as security, rule of law, and participation.
