Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a remarkable stride forward, Sierra Leone has been ranked the 9th best-governed country in Africa according to the latest World Economics Governance Index for 2026.
This achievement positions the West African nation among the continent’s elite in terms of institutional performance, transparency, and accountability, reflecting significant progress amid ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and combat corruption.
The index, which evaluates countries based on key indicators including the rule of law, corruption perception, political accountability, press freedom, and the effectiveness of public institutions, draws from international datasets and expert assessments to produce composite scores. These metrics provide an independent benchmark for investors, policymakers, and researchers, highlighting governance standards that can influence economic stability and foreign investment.
Africa’s top 10 best-governed countries, as per the 2026 rankings, are:
1. Cape Verde
2. Mauritius
3. Namibia
4. South Africa
5. Botswana
6. Ghana
7. Senegal
8. Malawi
9. Sierra Leone
10. The Gambia
This placement marks one of the most notable improvements in the region for Sierra Leone during the latest reporting cycle, elevating it alongside long-standing leaders like Mauritius and Cape Verde. Experts attribute this rise to recent reforms in public administration, anti-corruption measures, and enhanced judicial independence, which have contributed to better scores in rule of law and press freedom.
Comparatively, in the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance—a separate but complementary assessment—Sierra Leone ranked 23rd out of 54 countries, with improvements noted in categories like human development and economic opportunity. This consistent upward trajectory underscores the government’s focus on sustainable development, even as the country navigates economic challenges, including a GDP estimated at around $4.5 billion in 2025, placing it among Africa’s smaller economies but with potential for growth in sectors like mining and agriculture.
The ranking has sparked positive reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users have celebrated Sierra Leone’s progress while discussing broader implications for African governance. As Sierra Leone continues to build on this momentum, the index serves as a call to action for sustained reforms to attract investment and foster inclusive growth.
