Tanzania ranked fifth in Africa and eightieth globally in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index, securing the continent’s largest overall score improvement among twenty-three African countries assessed since 2021.
Tanzania Secures Fifth Place in Africa and Eightieth Globally in 2026 Governance Index
Tanzania has recorded the largest overall score improvement among twenty-three African countries assessed since the launch of the index in 2021, placing fifth on the continent and 80th globally in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index.
Published late last week, the sixth edition of the index evaluates government capabilities and effectiveness across 133 countries, which represents 94 per cent of the world’s population. The diagnostic tool assesses thirty-five equally weighted indicators grouped into seven distinct pillars to help governments measure performance, identify institutional weaknesses, and learn from countries facing similar challenges. Tanzania’s overall score has increased every year since 2023, though its global ranking has remained confined between 75th and 81st over the same period.
Mr. Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) from @ChandlerGov presenting the Chandler Good Government Index results. He stated that the 2026 edition covers 133 countries, representing 94% of the world’s population, across seven pillars and 35 indicators. https://t.co/1doOtCFumC pic.twitter.com/F8imuT1sSE
Where Tanzania Gained Ground Across Laws, Institutions, and Innovation
The country’s upward movement stems from notable gains in specific governance pillars. Between 2021 and 2026, Tanzania achieved the biggest score improvement among assessed African nations in the Robust Laws and Policies and Strong Institutions pillars. Its global position in Robust Laws and Policies rose from 89th to 85th, marking the largest score gain recorded by any African country in that category.
In the Strong Institutions pillar, Tanzania registered its largest score improvement, though its global ranking in the category slipped from 92nd to 100th as other countries made faster progress. A standout leap occurred within the Leadership and Foresight pillar, where Tanzania’s ranking in the Innovation indicator climbed sharply from 83rd to 43rd.
Dinesh Naidu, Director of Knowledge at the Chandler Governance Group, noted that the country’s progress in laws, policies, and institutions demonstrated that the government was building foundations for more open and effective institutions.
The next step is turning that institutional progress into gains across the other pillars.
Dinesh Naidu, Director of Knowledge at Chandler Governance Group
Tanzania Declines in Financial Stewardship and Global Influence
Despite strong institutional advances, Tanzania experienced declines in two specific pillars over the five-year evaluation period: Financial Stewardship and Global Influence and Reputation. These drops highlight areas requiring targeted reform as the government works to balance its legislative gains.
Stories of good governance are everywhere – not just at the top of the rankings. The 2026 Chandler Good Government Index identifies leaders by region, income group, and all seven pillars of government effectiveness.Explore: https://t.co/h7HWKQLAwf#CGGI2026 pic.twitter.com/xWc5y401mc
Across the wider continent, Mauritius maintained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked country, placing 55th globally. Rwanda followed in second place on the continent at 62nd, ahead of Botswana at 70th, Morocco at 79th, and Tanzania at 80th. South Africa rounded out the top tier, ranking sixth in Africa and 85th globally. Seven nations joined the index for the first time in 2026: Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia, and Togo.
While Africa’s regional average score remains below its 2021 level—with twenty-three of the thirty-five included African countries ranking outside the global top 100 and none entering the top 50—average scores across the continent did improve in six of the seven pillars over the past year. Financial Stewardship saw the strongest regional gains, followed by Helping People Rise, which tracks outcomes that directly affect people’s lives.
