TSHWANE, South Africa, August 26, 2025: Mauritius has been named the leading Government in Africa, followed by Rwanda and Botswana, according to a recent report from the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). The CGGI, which is in its fifth year, offers one of the most comprehensive global measures of government capabilities and effectiveness.
It hints at the fact that the average score for nations in Africa is among the lowest amongst all regions, despite a modest improvement between 2024 and 2025. It was revealed during the regional launch of the Index in Pretoria by the Director (Knowledge) at the Chandler Institute of Governance, Dinesh Naidu.
“As a region, Africa still has significant work to do in improving the quality of governance,” Naidu commented. “However, the recent progress recorded suggests an upward trajectory. Even in a challenging global environment, high-performance African countries are making governance advances that can inspire peers across the continent.”
The index tracks 120 countries spanning across seven pillars of capabilities and outcomes, while offering governments practical benchmarks to track progress, identify gaps, and strengthen public institutions. The report also notes that while many of Africa’s 28 CGGI‑ranked countries grapple with fiscal and institutional challenges, several stand out in terms of progress and resilience.
According to the 2025 ranking, Mauritius is at 51st, followed by Rwanda at 59th, Botswana at 61st, Morocco at 75th, and South Africa at 77th among the top five regional performers. On one hand, Mauritius remains the continent’s highest-ranked country for the fifth consecutive year, on the other, Rwanda stands out as the world’s best-performing low-income country, showcasing the perspective that national wealth is not necessarily a prerequisite for effective government.
Botswana has witnessed an improvement in the quality of the judiciary through digitisation reforms in recent years, with Morocco making notable progress in data transparency infrastructure, coupled with South Africa, despite fiscal pressures, remaining one of the continent’s stronger performers and a key reference point for institutional capacity.
“South Africa continues to demonstrate real strengths in the areas of robust laws and policies, as well as Strong Institutions, that have helped it remain among Africa’s top five performers,” says Naidu. “At the same time, persistent fiscal pressures and challenges in social outcomes highlight the importance of strengthening delivery in areas such as employment and income distribution. South Africa has the frameworks in place – it now needs to focus on turning this capability into more inclusive and tangible results for citizens.”
It is noted that in the context of governments reeling under pressure to deliver better services and government outcomes, the CGCI offers actionable benchmarks across seven pillars: Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise. The index acts as a diagnostic tool that governments can leverage to tap into opportunities for improvement and implement good practices from peers.
“The Chandler Good Government Index is about recognising progress, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and inspiring improvements. We see it as a practical guide for governments committed to building long-term capabilities and improving service delivery. “The Chandler Institute of Governance remains committed to working alongside African governments, sharing insights, and strengthening public institutions to build a more resilient and inclusive future,” Naidu further commented.
