Botswana ranks fourth in African governance but judicial impartiality slides
The 2026 Ibrahim Index places Botswana fourth of 54 African countries, with strong health and education results but sharp falls in judicial and anti-corruption scores.
Botswana ranks fourth among 54 African countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, scoring 67.5 out of 100, according to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Only Seychelles, Mauritius and Cabo Verde rank higher. The index describes Botswana's trajectory as "Bouncing Back", an improvement since 2021 after a longer decline.
The country leads Africa in Education Quality with 89.9 points, up 20.5 points over the past decade, and ranks first for Access to Healthcare with 88.0. It also earned a perfect 100 for the Absence of Armed Conflict. Health Quality, however, scored just 18.3, placing Botswana 50th of 54.
Judicial impartiality fell 18.3 points over the decade to 45.0, ranking 24th. Public perceptions of accountability dropped 10.7 points, and the Absence of Undue Influence indicator lost 25 points. Public Procurement Procedures scored 22.2, placing 41st, while Anti-Corruption Mechanisms scored 30.4 and ranked 30th.
Why it mattersDeclines in judicial impartiality, accountability and procurement scores point to weaker oversight of public spending and contracts, which bears on companies that bid for government work.