Nairobi — November 5, 2026
Kenya has secured the 10th position among Africa’s 54 countries in the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), scoring 61.0 out of 100, according to the latest assessment by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
The report, released on October 31, 2026, places Kenya above both the continental average of 50.1 and the Eastern Africa regional average of 47.5. Over the decade from 2016 to 2025, Kenya recorded a modest overall improvement of 0.9 points and is classified among countries showing “Increasing Improvement.”
Key Strengths and Weaknesses
Kenya’s strongest gains came in Foundations for Economic Opportunity, which rose 4.1 points to 65.3. This was followed by Participation, Rights and Inclusion (62.4) and Human Development (62.3).
The report highlights progress in protection against discrimination, internet access, access to energy, and education completion rates. These improvements helped Kenya maintain its place in the top 10.
However, Security and Rule of Law remains the country’s biggest governance concern. The category declined by 4.2 points to 54 and was the only one of the four main pillars to register a drop during the period under review.
Other notable declines include:
- Public procurement, which fell sharply by 36.4 points to 29.7
- Public perception of the rule of law (37.3)
- Media freedom (56.6)
- Public perception of anti-corruption efforts (27.9)
Continental Rankings
Seychelles topped the 2026 rankings, followed by Mauritius, Cabo Verde, Botswana, and South Africa. Namibia, Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana completed the top 10 alongside Kenya.
In East Africa, Kenya ranks ahead of Rwanda (14th), Tanzania (18th), and Uganda (28th). At the bottom of the continental list are South Sudan (54th), Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic.
About the Index
The IIAG is the most comprehensive assessment of governance performance in Africa. It evaluates countries using 96 indicators drawn from 51 independent data sources across four main categories: Security and Rule of Law, Participation, Rights and Inclusion; Foundations for Economic Opportunity; and Human Development.
Commenting on the broader findings, Mo Ibrahim, Chair and Founder of the Foundation, noted that while Africa has shown resilience through gains in economic and human development, progress remains uneven and fragile without corresponding improvements in security, rule of law, and participation.
Kenya’s ranking reflects a mixed picture of solid economic and social gains tempered by persistent challenges in security, accountability, and public procurement.