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Despite isolated progress in fiscal discipline and digital transformation, poor governance is eroding reform gains across Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Bank’s 2025 Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) report, released on Thursday July 10, 2025.
The report warned that governments must urgently address deep-seated weaknesses in public service delivery to restore citizen trust and drive inclusive development.
The average CPIA score for IDA-eligible countries in the region remained stagnant at 3.1 out of 6, unchanged from 2023. While some better-performing countries advanced on reforms, “poor performance in governance offset these gains,” the World Bank said.
The result was uneven progress—and growing public dissatisfaction.
“Confidence in a government’s ability to efficiently transform public resources into essential services is fundamental to fostering a shared purpose with citizens and improving trust,” Andrew Dabalen, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa said, adding “Populations across Africa are clearly asking for more from their leaders to enable them to realise their aspirations.”
The report, “Building Trust through Effective Service Delivery in Africa”, comes at a time of heightened political pressure in the region. “2024 was marked by youth protests and a notable decline in political support for incumbents across the continent,” the Bank noted.
Public surveys cited in the report show rising frustration with the quality of services, which continue to fall behind other global regions—especially in infrastructure, health, education, security, and administrative delivery.
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