The cornerstone of effective governance globally lies in embracing principles such as transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and adherence to the rule of law.

Concerns about governance have long been linked to economic development challenges in Africa, a notion that gained traction in the late 1970s as post-independence African economies were hit by major setbacks.

While governance systems vary across African nations, leadership remains a central issue.

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Given Africa's ballooning population and abundant natural resources, good governance is particularly important for the continent. Properly harnessing these resources could elevate several African countries to major players in the global economy.

Although governance quality across the continent varies, some countries outperform others.

The World Economics governance index provides insights into the governance performance of African countries. It evaluates governance through indicators such as corruption perception, rule of law, press freedom, and political rights.

The report reveals that Mauritius tops the list as the best-governed country in Africa, boasting a grade of B and an index score of 69.3. Namibia follows closely in second place with an index score of 69.1, while South Africa secures the third position with a score of 66.9.