Sierra Leone has emerged as one of Africa’s most improved nations in governance, ranking 23rd out of 54 countries with an Overall Governance score of 53.0% in the 2024 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG).

Over the past decade, the country has shown a significant governance improvement of 6.4 points, placing it in the top 10 of the most improved countries on the continent. Sierra Leone is 4th in improvement, following Seychelles, The Gambia, and Somalia, and ahead of Angola, Morocco, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, and Djibouti.

The Mo Ibrahim Index provides a comprehensive assessment of governance across Africa, with the 2024 report covering the years 2014 to 2023. Sierra Leone’s Overall Governance score of 53.0% reflects steady progress across all four IIAG categories, with Human Development showing the most substantial gains.

According to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, governance encompasses a government’s responsibility to provide political, social, economic, and environmental public goods essential to citizens’ well-being.

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The IIAG, compiled from over 265,000 data points across 49 sources, includes 96 indicators grouped into four main categories: Security & Rule of Law, Participation, Rights & Inclusion, Foundations for Economic Opportunity, and Human Development.

Human Development (47.8): Sierra Leone’s most substantial improvement has been in the Human Development category, which includes healthcare, education, and social services. This progress reflects increased government focus on citizen welfare and development programs.

Security & Rule of Law (56.1): Progress in Security & Rule of Law suggests that Sierra Leone has enhanced public safety and adherence to legal frameworks, providing citizens with greater stability.

Participation, Rights & Inclusion (61.6): Sierra Leone’s score in this category indicates increased citizen involvement in political processes, along with advancements in social inclusion and civil rights.

Foundations for Economic Opportunity (46.6): While still a developing area, Sierra Leone’s improvements in economic opportunity reflect efforts to establish a more inclusive economic environment for its citizens.

Sierra Leone’s steady rise in governance scores over the last decade highlights its commitment to sustainable development and improving government accountability. Although the pace of improvement has slowed over the past five years (2019-2023), the country’s advancements across key governance categories continue to underscore a positive trend.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s annual index serves as a vital tool for governments, policymakers, and citizens to assess and encourage good governance. Sierra Leone’s achievements in governance point to a promising path toward enhanced political stability, economic opportunity and social progress, aligning with the country’s goals for sustainable growth.