Cabo Verde and Mauritius lead African governance rankings

The World Economics Governance Index 2026 identifies Cabo Verde and Mauritius as the leading nations in African governance. Cabo Verde ranks 29th globally with a score of 74.0, driven by high marks in political rights (95.2) and press freedom (77.6). Mauritius follows with a global ranking of 37th and a score of 68.4, notably achieving the highest score among listed African nations for the rule of law (69.5).

While the index highlights progress in political rights and press freedom across the continent, it notes that weaknesses in the rule of law and corruption control continue to limit overall performance. In Cabo Verde, legal experts observe that while the 1992 Constitution established a robust framework for a democratic state of law, the country still faces challenges in maturing its democratic culture and ensuring institutional resilience against political tensions.