Full Review of Africa Democracy and Governance in 2025

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Full Review of Africa Democracy and Governance in 2025

The year 2025 marked a critical juncture for Africa’s democratic trajectory and governance systems. The African Union (AU), through the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), launched the African Governance Report 2025, focusing on natural resource governance as a determinant of peace, stability, and development. This report was unveiled during the 13th AU High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance, underscoring the continent’s recognition that democracy cannot thrive without effective governance of its vast natural wealth.

Democratic Landscape

Across Africa, democracy in 2025 continued to evolve in diverse directions. Several countries consolidated democratic gains through peaceful elections, stronger judicial independence, and enhanced civil society participation. However, democratic capture, where ruling elites manipulate institutions to entrench power, remained a pressing concern. The APRM’s Democracy Capture Index revealed that while some nations made strides in curbing authoritarian tendencies, others regressed, with political pluralism undermined by restrictions on opposition parties and media freedoms.

Citizen engagement was a defining feature of 2025. Afrobarometer’s African Insights 2025 survey showed that citizens across 39 countries increasingly demanded accountability, transparency, and responsiveness from their governments. Youth populations, in particular, emerged as vocal advocates for reform, leveraging digital platforms to amplify their voices and mobilize for change.

Governance and Natural Resources

The African Governance Report 2025 emphasized natural resource governance as both an opportunity and a risk. Africa’s abundant resources, oil, gas, minerals, and arable land, can drive sustainable development when managed transparently. Yet, weak governance structures often transform these resources into sources of conflict, corruption, and inequality. Countries with stronger institutional frameworks demonstrated resilience, using resource revenues to invest in infrastructure, education, and health. Conversely, fragile states saw resources exacerbate instability, fueling armed groups and undermining democratic institutions.

Regional Trends

West Africa experienced both democratic resilience and fragility. Nigeria and Ghana maintained relatively stable democratic processes, though corruption and insecurity remained challenges. In contrast, coups and political instability in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea highlighted the fragility of governance in conflict-prone regions. East Africa showcased mixed outcomes: Kenya and Tanzania advanced reforms, while Ethiopia struggled with ethnic tensions and governance crises. Southern Africa continued to grapple with economic governance issues, with South Africa facing challenges of inequality and political accountability. North Africa’s governance remained shaped by authoritarian resilience, though Tunisia’s democratic experiment persisted despite economic pressures.

Let’s Take A Break

Africa’s democracy and governance in 2025 reflect a continent at a crossroads. The expansion of democratic institutions and citizen engagement signals progress, yet governance weaknesses, particularly in natural resource management, pose enduring risks. The African Union’s emphasis on governance reforms highlights the recognition that democracy cannot flourish without accountable, transparent, and inclusive governance. The coming years will determine whether Africa can harness its resources to strengthen democracy or whether governance failures will continue to undermine democratic aspirations.