The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has published its latest Democracy Index report, which measures the state of democracy in 165 independent countries worldwide using five parameters: process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. Based on the performance of the countries in the five categories, they are then classified into four regimes, namely “full democracy,” “flawed democracy,” “hybrid regime,” and “authoritarian regime.”
According to the report, Mauritius is the most democratic country in Africa, and the 17th most democratic in the world, with a score of 8.22. Mauritius was classified as a “full democracy,” meaning each citizen in the society has a direct and equal say in the decisions made in the society. Cape Verde (2nd) and Botswana (3rd) were closely following Mauritius.
South Africa was ranked the fourth most democratic country in Africa and 40th in the world, with a score of 7.24. South Africa was classified as a “flawed democracy,” meaning the country is weighed down by weak governance, an underdeveloped political culture, and low levels of political participation.
Nigeria, which is Africa’s biggest democracy, was ranked 22nd in Africa and 108 in the world, with a score of 4.62. Nigeria was classified as a “hybrid regime,” meaning it is a combination of democratic traits such as regular elections and autocratic ones, such as political repression.
In the West African sub-region and among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria was among the poorest rated, ranking only better than Togo, Guinea, Gabon, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gambia.
Cape Verde is the highest ranked ECOWAS country, ranked second in Sub-Saharan Africa and 26th in the world, with a score of 7.88. Ghana, with a score of 6.63, is ranked the 6th most democratic country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Here is a list of the top 10 most democratic countries in Africa, according to the EIU Democracy Index report:
1. Mauritius
Mauritius, a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, has been ranked as the most democratic country in Africa, and 17th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Mauritius scored 8.22 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “full democracy,” meaning that each citizen in the society has a direct and equal say in the decisions made in the society.
The country has a stable and democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country has a diverse economy, with a focus on tourism, manufacturing, and financial services.
2. Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde, also known as Cape Verde, is an archipelago off the coast of West Africa that has been ranked as the second most democratic country in Africa, and 26th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Cabo Verde scored 7.88 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
Cabo Verde has a stable and democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is based on tourism, remittances, and a small amount of agriculture and fishing.
3. Botswana
Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has been ranked as the third most democratic country in Africa, and 28th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Botswana scored 7.81 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, there are some weaknesses in its governance structure, political culture, and participation.
The country has a stable and democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is based on mining, particularly diamonds, as well as tourism and agriculture.
4. South Africa
South Africa, the southernmost country in Africa, has been ranked as the fourth most democratic country in Africa, and 40th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
South Africa scored 7.24 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
The country has a democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation, but also faces significant challenges, including high levels of inequality, corruption, and crime. The country’s economy is diverse, with a focus on mining, manufacturing, and services.
5. Lesotho
Lesotho, a small landlocked country surrounded by South Africa, has been ranked as the fifth most democratic country in Africa, and 55th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report. Lesotho scored 6.64 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, there are some weaknesses in its governance structure, political culture, and participation.
Lesotho has a democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is based on agriculture, particularly livestock farming, as well as textiles and mining.
6. Ghana
Ghana, a country in West Africa, has been ranked as the sixth most democratic country in Africa, and 57th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Ghana scored 6.63 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
The country has a democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is diverse, with a focus on agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
7. Tunisia
Tunisia, a country in North Africa, has been ranked as the seventh most democratic country in Africa, and 63rd in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
The country scored 6.41 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
Tunisia has made significant progress towards democratization since the Arab Spring in 2011, but still faces challenges related to corruption, inequality, and political polarization. The country’s economy is based on tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture.
8. Senegal
Senegal, a country in West Africa, has been ranked as the eighth most democratic country in Africa, and 66th in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Senegal scored 6.36 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
Senegal has a democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is based on agriculture, fisheries, and mining, as well as services and manufacturing.
9. Benin
Benin, a country in West Africa, has been ranked as the ninth most democratic country in Africa, and 71st in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Benin scored 6.31 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
The country has a democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is based on agriculture, particularly cotton, as well as trade and services.
10. Namibia
Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, has been ranked as the tenth most democratic country in Africa, and 73rd in the world, according to the EIU Democracy Index report.
Namibia scored 6.30 out of 10 in the index, which classifies it as a “flawed democracy,” meaning that while it has free and fair elections and basic civil liberties, its governance structure is weak and there are some issues with political culture and participation.
The country has a democratic government, with regular elections and a strong record on civil liberties and political participation. The country’s economy is based on mining, particularly diamonds and uranium, as well as agriculture and tourism.
