The sixth annual Ibrahim Index of African Governance was released recently, and it indicates that on average governance has been improving in Africa. Unfortunately the improvements have in most cases been very slow, and some countries have been going backwards rather than forwards. The top five ranked countries are Mauritius, Cape Verde, Botswana, Seychelles and South Africa. The bottom five are Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Eritrea and Central African Republic.
Somalia’s overall score for 2011 of 7.2 out of 100 (a decline from 8.8 in 2006) reflects a score of less than 10/100 for rule of law, accountability, personal safety, participation, human rights, public management, business environment, infrastructure, welfare and education, but it does not reflect the hope associated with the country’s advances this year in the war against al Shabaab, and the newly appointed government.
Higher up in the rankings, Kenya came in at 25th with a score of 52.7 out of 100, with significant gains over the past 5 years in health and welfare but significant losses in participation and national security. Uganda was ranked 19th with a score of 55.1, showing gains in national security and health but losses in rule of law and business environment. Tanzania came 10th with 58.8, showing gains in infrastructure and rights, but losses in public management and national security.