The first RPI African Policy Index 2025, released by Reputation Poll International (RPI), warns that Africa’s biggest governance problem is no longer just poor policies but a widening “Trust Gap” between government actions and what citizens believe they achieve.
The Index combines objective performance data with surveys of more than 25,000 Africans to measure both how well governments function and how much confidence citizens have in those institutions.
According to the report, Africa’s 54 countries fall into three categories. A small top tier of “Leaders”, scoring above 70 points, shows that world-class governance is achievable on the continent.
Mauritius tops the index with 78.9 points, followed by Seychelles (76.4) and Cabo Verde (74.8). These countries pair strong economic management, high vaccination rates and transparent institutions with equally high levels of public trust.
Botswana (73.2), Namibia (71.8) and Rwanda (70.1) also rank in the top tier, demonstrating that consistent investment in education, resource management and digital reforms can significantly narrow the trust deficit.
However, the majority of African countries fall short. More than 60 percent of the continent is classified as “Strugglers” with scores between 50 and 69.9. In these countries, policies often look sound on paper or produce partial results, but they fail to win citizens’ confidence.
Nigeria (52.3), South Africa (55.7), Angola (48.9), Egypt (51.2) and Zimbabwe (46.1) show the widest Trust Gaps—sometimes exceeding 25 points between government performance indicators and public perception.
In Nigeria, anti-corruption frameworks exist but public trust collapses amid perceptions of elite impunity. In South Africa, progressive land and social-welfare policies coexist with deep frustration over service failures and racial inequality. Angola and Egypt present similar contradictions: oil wealth and major infrastructure spending have not translated into citizen confidence.
At the bottom are 18 countries labelled “Systemic Challengers”, scoring below 50—from Sierra Leone (49.2) to South Sudan (28.4). In these states, weak institutions, insecurity and eroding legitimacy create Trust Gaps averaging 35 points. Even modest reforms—such as local peace deals, health campaigns or budget adjustments—are overshadowed by daily violence and exclusion.
Regionally, Central Africa performs worst with an average score of 41.2, while Southern Africa dominates the higher tier. West, East and North Africa show mixed but largely underwhelming outcomes.
The report’s central warning is unequivocal: no level of policy ambition will translate into stable, legitimate governance unless governments commit to closing the Trust Gap.
According to RPI, countries like Mauritius and Botswana succeed not because of wealth but because they actively involve citizens in monitoring government performance and providing feedback—something most African governments fail to do.
The Index urges governments to treat public perception as a measurable outcome, demanding transparent data, regular citizen audits and visible accountability. Without these steps, Africa risks a continued cycle of disillusionment, protest and institutional decline.
As the continent confronts mounting debt, climate shocks and rising youth unemployment, the RPI African Policy Index 2025 offers both a stark warning and a pathway forward: bridge the Trust Gap or face a deeper governance crisis.
