Lesotho ranks 16th of 54 in African governance index
The country scored 58.3 out of 100, above both the African and Southern African averages, in the 2026 Ibrahim Index.
Lesotho has placed 16th out of 54 African countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, scoring 58.3 out of 100. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released the index on October 31, covering governance from 2016 to 2025. Lesotho's score is above the African average of 50.1 and the Southern African regional average of 56.1, a gain of 1.9 points over the decade.
The index grades four areas: security and rule of law, participation, rights and inclusion, economic opportunity, and human development. Lesotho scored highest on participation and rights, and every area improved over the period. The country scored 100 on the absence of armed conflict, laws against violence toward women, and civil registration.
The index also flags weak spots. The transport network scored just 16.8, and public perception of economic opportunity stood at 18.8. Law enforcement fell 33.7 points to 25.8, and perceptions of anti-corruption dropped 21.5 points.
Why it mattersTraders and households that depend on Lesotho's transport network face its lowest-scoring area, 16.8 out of 100, in a index released on October 31.