INDEX OF AFRICAN GOVERNANCE 2020: AFTER A DECADE OF GROWTH COMES DECLINE
By: Dr Yaya Moussa
Tags: Africa, African Union, African Government, United Nations

Historically, good governance has always been the cornerstone of sustainable development and prosperity. Promoting good governance is one of the core priorities of most international organisations, including the African Union (AU) through its Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want — the AU’s strategic framework for achieving Africa’s full potential. In the last decade, overall governance across the continent improved slightly, before slowing down in the last five years. Today, for the first time after a decade of relative growth, Africa’s overall governance performance is in decline, according to the recently published 2020 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG).

The IIAG report provides a comprehensive and in-depth review of governance across the continent by measuring data collected on four distinct categories: security and rule of law; participation, rights and inclusion; foundations for economic opportunity; and human development. For the first time this year citizens’ voices and perceptions have been added and highlighted in the report. After all, who’s best suited to give an accurate review of public leadership and governance than the recipients of it?

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said: “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” Good public governance is defined by a government’s ability to provide socio-economic, political and environmental public good and services their citizens are entitled to. In the absence of good and inclusive governance in Africa, the continent will never be able to achieve the AU’s Agenda 2063 for a better Africa, nor will it ever be able to achieve its full socio-economic potential. Therefore, in order for Africa to fully develop, it is imperative for government leaders to not only listen to their citizens’ expectations, but more importantly to fulfil them.

In recent years, citizens have started to become more vocal about their needs and expectations, while expressing their growing dissatisfaction with the delivery of good governance. A younger and urbanising generation, with an acute understanding of 21st century problems, is rising on the continent. This generation, more critical than ever, will not hesitate to hold their governments accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. With public perception of overall governance now at an all time low, the lowest in a decade, the pressure on African leaders to enforce the rule of law, secure peace, and promote a sustainable and inclusive development is at its peak.

Capacity building and skills development has a vital role to play in the delivery of good governance. These skills are crucial and must be developed and nurtured at all levels for strong and improved governance. With the youngest population on earth, Africa’s human capital is massive and must be utilised for the continent’s long-term socio-economic transformation. I believe that investing in human capacity, investing in this new generation of Africans, with a voracious appetite for change and equality, is crucial for the continent to achieve its ambitions. Only by including the population at large is this transformation process, will we be able to heal old wounds and restore trust that has eroded.

The 2020 IIAG provides a snapshot of the continent until the end of 2019. From the looks of it, Africa had already started down a slippery slope before the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The real, long-term socio-economic impact of the pandemic will only start to become apparent in the coming months and years, exacerbating an existing negative trajectory. Things could get worse before they start getting better, but now is the time to act if we want to rectify the situation.

Although we’ve entered a new decade with even greater challenges to overcome than expected, there is still time to implement and strengthen good and inclusive governance through the next decade and beyond. Over the next decade, African countries must focus on addressing their respective governance challenges by ensuring inclusive and effective participation of the population as a whole, including marginalised groups such as women and young people.

Citizens of Africa are no longer afraid to make their voices heard and to hold their governments accountable. Governments have a once in a generation opportunity to prove that they have learned from the past and are now, more than ever, committed to change: real, inclusive and tangible change. As a new world emerges, Africans will no longer accept being left behind. Better governance through inclusive participation and national dialogue is the only way froward.

Yaya Moussa is the founder, president and CEO of Africa Prime