g encouraging strides.
“Even in a challenging global environment, high-performing African countries are advancing governance practices that can serve as examples for others on the continent,” he said.
In the 2025 rankings, Africa’s top five performers were:
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Mauritius (51st globally)
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Rwanda (59th)
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Botswana (61st)
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Morocco (75th)
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South Africa (77th)
Mauritius maintained its continental lead, while Rwanda was recognized as the world’s top-performing low-income country—demonstrating that effective governance isn’t limited by national wealth.
Botswana received praise for its recent digital reforms in the judiciary, Morocco for its gains in data transparency and digital infrastructure, and South Africa for maintaining strong institutional capacity amid ongoing fiscal challenges.
Naidu also spotlighted Tanzania’s notable progress, rising from 82nd in 2021 to 78th globally in 2025, driven by initiatives like the Digital Governance Project and the implementation of the Data Protection Act.
Despite these gains, fiscal discipline remains a major concern across many African nations, with growing debt levels hampering development. However, Naidu emphasized the potential of Africa’s young population, noting that with the right investments in education, employment, and inclusive growth, the continent can unlock transformative opportunities.
“Good governance takes time to build, but each improvement counts,” he said. “Reforms in areas like digital governance and institutional resilience show that progress is possible, even in difficult circumstances.”
Naidu added that the CGGI provides a practical framework for governments to measure performance, identify areas for improvement, and drive better service delivery for their citizens.
