Public perception of presidential leadership in Africa, governance performance, political legitimacy, security challenges, and economic management.
As Africa navigates economic pressures, security crises, and democratic transitions, a new perception-based survey has laid bare a continent sharply divided over its political leadership.
Published by Africa Today Media Group, the study gathered responses from 150 participants across 38 African countries. While not statistically representative of the continent’s 1.4 billion people, the findings provide insight into a critical political trend: legitimacy in Africa is increasingly shaped by public sentiment rather than incumbency.
The survey ranks three presidents as top performers and three as the lowest-rated, offering a revealing contrast in governance narratives.
President Paul Kagame tops the ranking with 92% approval.
Under Kagame’s leadership since 2000, Rwanda has positioned itself as a development-driven state focused on digital transformation, infrastructure expansion, and administrative efficiency. Kigali’s image as a clean, orderly capital and Rwanda’s push toward becoming a regional technology hub have bolstered its international standing.
Yet Kagame’s governance model remains debated. Supporters argue that centralized authority has delivered stability and rapid development. Critics contend that political space and opposition freedoms remain tightly controlled. The divide reflects a broader continental question: can strong executive control coexist with liberal democratic expansion?
Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Ibrahim Traoré, follows closely with 89%.
Traoré has cultivated a populist image rooted in sovereignty and anti-external influence rhetoric. Amid escalating insurgency threats in the Sahel, his leadership appeals to citizens seeking decisive action and national pride.
However, military-led governance presents long-term uncertainties. Regional observers question how Burkina Faso will transition toward constitutional rule while maintaining stability.
Mauritius’ President Dharam Gokhool secured 87%.
Mauritius consistently ranks among Africa’s strongest democracies, with a diversified economy and relatively robust institutions. Gokhool’s rating reflects broader trust in the Mauritian governance system rather than personality-driven politics, an important distinction in a continent often dominated by powerful executive figures.
Cameroon’s Paul Biya, in power for over four decades, received 8%.
His prolonged tenure has drawn criticism over political stagnation and unresolved conflict in the Anglophone regions. For many observers, the rating reflects fatigue with entrenched leadership rather than a single policy failure.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi scored 4%.
Despite pledges of reform and peace-building in the conflict-prone east, the DRC continues to struggle with armed violence, economic fragility, and contested electoral credibility. Tshisekedi’s challenge illustrates how reform narratives often collide with structural instability.
Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye ranked lowest at 2%.
Initially viewed as a potential reformer following the death of Pierre Nkurunziza in 2020, expectations for diplomatic re-engagement and economic revival have faced headwinds. Limited structural change appears to have influenced public perception.
The broader takeaway is not merely who ranks highest or lowest, but what the rankings symbolize. Across Africa, citizens are increasingly measuring leadership against tangible outcomes:
- Security and territorial stability
- Job creation and economic opportunity
- Institutional transparency
- Democratic accountability
The survey underscores a generational shift. Younger populations, more connected through digital platforms, are shaping political narratives beyond traditional state-controlled messaging.
While limited in scope, the findings reflect a continent in political transition, where performance, perception, and legitimacy are intertwined more tightly than ever before.
As multiple African nations approach election cycles, public opinion may become the decisive battleground.
In modern Africa, power is no longer sustained by tenure alone. It must be continuously earned.
