Guinea-Bissau falls to 45th in African governance index
The country is now among the 10 worst-ranked nations on the continent, showing increasing deterioration.
Guinea-Bissau has dropped to 45th place in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), placing it among the 10 worst-governed countries in Africa. The index assesses governance quality across security, justice, transparency, citizen participation, human development, and economic opportunities.
The nation has lost five positions over the past decade and is among 11 African states showing the most significant regression. The report highlights a sharp decline in Security and Rule of Law, Justice, and Transparency, with education also showing the second-greatest setback in Africa over the last 10 years.
The IIAG 2026, published by the Ibrahim Foundation, covers 54 African countries using 96 indicators from 2016 to 2025. Cabo Verde ranks highest among Portuguese-speaking African countries at third overall, while Mozambique is 29th and Angola is 37th, having made progress in areas like anti-corruption and gender equality.
Why it mattersGuinea-Bissau's governance decline affects its citizens' access to security, justice, and educational opportunities.