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South Africa’s governance rating has slipped due to corruption and bureaucracy, online services, corruption and investigation and diversification of public funds
South Africa ranked sixth out of the 54 countries in Africa, according to the 10th annual Ibrahim Index on African Governance.
The index was released by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation on October 3.
The foundation – established in 2006 – focuses on the critical importance of governance and leadership in Africa. The index is compiled annually using statistics gathered from 34 partners and sources of the MIF including the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Here’s what you need to know about the index and what countries, including South Africa, can learn from it.
South Africa had an overall score of 69.4 out of 100. Leading the rankings this year was Mauritius, with a score of 79.9.
Speaking to City Press from Senegal, the foundation’s Abdoulie Janneh said: “It’s important to note that the rankings are not what people should look at. The rankings are important because it shows how the countries are faring compared to one another, but they are more for bragging rights. What the governments should focus on is the data which has been compiled and the areas of improvements within each category,” he said.
The governance of each country is measured under four categories including: safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development.
Under safety and rule of law, South Africa has dropped by 5.9 points.
“South Africa has fallen behind in some of the sub-categories including corruption and bureaucracy, online services, corruption and investigation and diversification of public funds,” Janneh said.
South Africa has over the last decade continued to remain in the top 10 rankings, despite dealing with ongoing governmental issues.
“What we have done is to show those areas where South Africa is falling short and these are very clear. What the index does is that is shows which areas South Africa is performing well in and which areas it is falling short,” Janneh said.
The benefits of this data include governments implementing policy changes based on the delivery of goods and services. “It influences policy change, policy engagement and policy direction.”
Janneh said that it is commendable that South Africa has consistently remained in the top ten of the index but that the country faces its own challenges. “I don’t want to give an overall assessment or judgement of South Africa, but South Africa is deteriorating in certain categories which should be of concern to public officials which deserves attention,” Janneh said.
