Africa·Pan-Africa
Mo Ibrahim index: Africa’s security and rights fall in a “strongmen” era
LONDON —
Depth
Dig five layers into this story — from what happened to the full picture.
L1What happened
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s latest index finds 30 countries, home to half of Africa’s population, had better overall governance in 2025 than in 2016, largely thanks to economies. 23 deteriorated and one was unchanged.
L2Who’s affected
The report finds progress on economic opportunity and human development but steep declines in security, human rights and public participation. Seven of the 10 biggest decliners had at least one coup in the decade; Burkina Faso fell furthest, and Nigeria, Sudan and Tunisia were among the worst.
L3Why it’s quiet
Analysis · OVERLOOKED The index puts numbers on a democratic slide that rarely gets measured coverage in the U.S.
L4Deeper impact
Ibrahim, 80, told AFP leaders are taking cues from strongmen worldwide. He cited Tanzania, where security forces were accused of killing thousands of protesters, and Uganda, where Bobi Wine was “hunted and physically attacked.” “It’s just disgraceful,” he said.
L5Full context
He called the U.S. termination of USAID “brutal” and said Africa must “depend more on ourselves” and work with any partner. Of his generation: “We wasted Africa… We really wasted some opportunities.”
You’ve reached the bottom. Read the original reporting below.
Original reporting
This is an OVERLOOKED summary of the reporting above. Facts and figures come from the linked sources. Everything here is a fact unless it is labelled otherwise. Support this work.
Alerts Get stories like this in your inbox — a daily roundup, breaking news, or both. Sign up for alerts →