Rwanda Ranked Second in Africa in The 2025 Chandler Good Government Index

Rwanda has been ranked the second-best governed country in Africa in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), coming just after Mauritius and ahead of Botswana, Morocco, and South Africa. The recognition places Rwanda as the world’s best-performing low-income country, highlighting that effective governance is possible even with limited national wealth.

The findings were unveiled during the regional launch of the Index in Pretoria, where policymakers, academics, and governance experts gathered to reflect on Africa’s progress and challenges.

Now in its fifth year, the CGGI is one of the most comprehensive global measures of government capabilities and effectiveness, assessing 120 countries across seven pillars, including leadership, institutional strength, financial stewardship, and service delivery.

Africa’s Top Performers

Mauritius retained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked country for the fifth consecutive year, coming in 51st globally. Rwanda followed at 59th, praised for its institutional capacity and reform momentum. Botswana ranked 61st, having made significant improvements in its judiciary through digitalisation. Morocco, at 75th, stood out for advances in data transparency and digital infrastructure, while South Africa at 77th remained a strong regional player despite fiscal pressures.

Tanzania and Rwanda are the only African countries that improved their global rankings between 2021 and 2025, according to Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at the Chandler Institute of Governance. Rwanda’s performance shows that national wealth is not necessarily a prerequisite for effective governance.

Tanzania: A Rising Example

Although not among the top five, Tanzania has emerged as the continent’s most improved performer since the CGGI was first published in 2021, moving from 82nd to 78th place. Reforms such as the Digital Tanzania Project and the Data Protection Act have boosted digital governance and service delivery, laying foundations for long-term transformation.

Progress Amid Challenges

Despite these success stories, Africa’s average score in the Index remains the lowest of all global regions. Fiscal pressures and debt burdens continue to weigh heavily on governments, with Financial Stewardship identified as a major area of concern.

Still, the Index highlights encouraging reforms across the continent, particularly in digitalisation and institutional strengthening. Good government is built over decades, but every step forward matters, Naidu said. The achievements seen in these African countries today, from digitalisation to reforms in public institutions, are building blocks for long-term transformation.

A Tool for Reform

The CGGI is designed not only to measure performance but also to provide practical benchmarks that governments can use to identify gaps and adopt good practices from peers. The seven pillars assessed include Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise.

The Chandler Good Government Index is about recognising progress, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and inspiring improvements, Naidu said. We remain committed to working alongside African governments to build more resilient and inclusive futures.