The 2026 Global Peace Index has repositioned Africa's safest nations, with Mauritius securing the continent's top spot. Ranked 18th worldwide and first in sub-Saharan Africa, Mauritius reflects consistent performance across political stability, personal security, and institutional quality. This ranking has significant implications for investors, developers, and families considering long-term relocation decisions. The index, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, covers 163 countries and territories, representing 99.7% of the world's population.
Mauritius's appeal extends beyond its peace score, with investors citing a stable base for tourism, residential development, and regional financial services. The island's strategic geography bridges African, Asian, and Indian Ocean trade routes. However, a peace ranking alone does not settle a relocation or investment decision. Housing costs, immigration rules, healthcare access, and employment conditions each require separate analysis. Mauritius scores well on the index, but due diligence must cover the full picture.
Ghana, on the other hand, has slipped to 76th globally and tenth in sub-Saharan Africa. The country's 2026 index score of 1.943, up from 1.898 a year earlier, indicates lower peacefulness. This marks a meaningful shift from its 61st ranking in 2025 and 40th in 2022. Despite this, Ghana retains real advantages, including Accra's established business hub, deep market access, a functioning legal system, and a large consumer base.
The 2026 Global Peace Index recorded a 0.7% year-on-year decline in average global peacefulness. As global peacefulness weakens, Mauritius's ability to hold its regional lead becomes a more valuable signal. Sovereign-wealth managers and private equity funds increasingly use peace metrics as an early filter when screening frontier markets. This trend highlights the importance of stability in investment decisions.
Ghana's downward trajectory in peace rankings demands closer monitoring of security conditions and institutional resilience before deploying fresh capital. The metrics to watch next include Ghana's 2027 peace score, the outcome of its electoral cycle, and Mauritius's capacity to sustain its ranking. City-level and neighbourhood-level analysis also matters, as conditions in Accra's commercial districts differ from those in other parts of the country.
Investors should compare asset types and locations before committing capital. A national ranking provides a starting point, not a verdict. Security conditions, election cycles, urban crime rates, and institutional resilience should each form part of any project assessment. Ghana remains investable, but caution is advised.
The Institute for Economics and Peace produces the annual index, providing valuable insights for investors, developers, and families. As the global landscape evolves, the 2026 Global Peace Index serves as a crucial tool for understanding the shifting dynamics of peacefulness and stability across the world.
Key points
- Mauritius ranks 18th globally, 1st in sub-Saharan Africa in the 2026 Global Peace Index.
- Ghana slips to 76th globally, 10th in sub-Saharan Africa, amid declining peacefulness.
- The 2026 Global Peace Index recorded a 0.7% year-on-year decline in average global peacefulness.
