Top 10 Worst Governed Countries in Africa (2025)

The Chandler Good Government Index, Zimbabwe tops the list of the worst governed countries in Africa, while Nigeria was ranked the third worst governed in Africa and one of the worst governed countries in the world.

The report noted that the ability to handle corruption properly is the strongest indicator of good governance. Thus the CGGI ranked Nigeria 102 out of 104 countries with a score of 0.319 points.

The CGGI explained that the ranking came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the strengths and weaknesses in institutions, laws, and leadership in countries as governance decides the success of these countries.

Worldwide, Finland topped the list with 0.848 points ahead of Switzerland and Singapore, but on the African continent, Mauritius scored 0.5670, placing it at number 38 on the index and is Africa’s best governed country.

The index used 34 parameters to measure the success of the countries. These include leadership and foresight; robust laws and policies; strong institutions; financial stewardship; attractive marketplace; global influence and reputation; and helping people rise.

Top 10 Worst Governed Countries In Africa (2025)

1. Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone sits at the bottom of the governance rankings, making it the worst governed country in Africa according to the index. Its low placement is largely driven by fragile institutions, limited administrative capacity, and ongoing struggles in translating policies into meaningful outcomes for citizens. Challenges in economic management and social development continue to weigh heavily on overall governance performance, despite gradual reform efforts.

2. Angola

Angola, ranked as the second worst governed country in Africa, presents a different governance profile shaped by its resource-dependent economy. While the state maintains relative political stability, weaknesses in transparency, accountability, and effective financial stewardship have undermined broader governance outcomes. These structural issues have limited inclusive growth and institutional effectiveness, keeping Angola near the bottom of the rankings.

3. Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe ranks as the third worst governed country in Africa on the Chandler Good Government Index, highlighting deep-rooted governance challenges. Persistent economic difficulties, institutional weaknesses, and political pressures have undermined effective governance, while concerns around rights, service delivery, and public trust continue to affect the country’s overall performance.

4. Nigeria

Despite being one of Africa’s largest economies, Nigeria faces governance challenges that hinder its overall development. Issues such as corruption, inadequate infrastructure, extreme poverty, insecurity and political instability contribute to its low ranking on the Chandler Good Government Index.

5. Mali

Mali’s governance struggles are evident in its low ranking on the index as the fifth worst governed country in Africa. The nation has been grappling with political instability, security concerns, and challenges in ensuring effective public administration. The impact of these issues on Mali’s development and the well-being of its population is reflected in its poor governance score.

Top 10 Best Governed Country In Africa (2025)

Revised in December 2025