Region

Africa

Democracy

8.49%

of region’s population

Hybrid Authoritarian

27.84%

of region’s population

Fully Authoritarian

63.50%

of region’s population

Source: Tyranny Tracker

Overview

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Cote D’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of Congo

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Gabon

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Nigeria

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Africa

South Sudan

Sudan

Swaziland

Tanzania

The Gambia

Togo

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

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A Democracy Index Built to Inform Action

Africa's Publications

Oct 26, 2026

Dispatches from Detention: Victoire Ingabire

A tireless Rwandan opposition figure, Victoire Ingabire has faced persecution at the hands of Paul Kagame’s regime for years. In 2010, she was arrested upon her return to Rwanda after leading an opposition coalition in exile.

Human Rights Dispatch

Oct 7, 2026

Nasrin Sotoudeh Awarded Maseko Prize, HRF Petitions UN Over Disappeared Rwandan Journalist

HRF and the Thulani Maseko Foundation are proud to award the 2026 Thulani Maseko Justice Prize to Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.

Human Rights Dispatch

Oct 6, 2026

South Sudan Dictator Salva Kiir Dismantles Peace Accord, China Continues Persecution of Independent Churches

In September, South Sudan’s dictator, Salva Kiir, orchestrated a controversial power grab that enabled him to dismantle the power-sharing governing structure established under the 2018 peace agreement and rule with full constitutional powers until the polls on Dec. 22.

Oct 6, 2026

HRF petitions United Nations on behalf of disappeared Rwandan journalist Cassien Ntamuhanga

NEW YORK (Oct. 6, 2026) — This week, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a communication to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on behalf of Cassien Ntamuhanga, a Rwandan journalist and dissident who has not been seen since he was seized in Mozambique more than five years ago.

Africa's Reports

How the Regime in Equatorial Guinea Exploits Football

Equatorial Guinea’s regime has strategically exploited the global appeal of football as a political tool.

Cómo el régimen de Guinea Ecuatorial instrumentaliza el fútbol

HRF agradece a los valientes defensores de los derechos humanos, expertos y otras personas entrevistadas que han contribuido con su tiempo, conocimientos y testimonios a este informe.

Zimbabwe’s Ruling Party and Military: Joined at the Hip “Until Donkeys Grow Horns”

This policy note chronicles the Zimbabwean military’s deep entrenchment in politics and the evolution of its relationship with ZANU-PF.

HRF Report: Authoritarianism and Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, considered a modern form of slavery, exists in every region of the world.