P.C. Marina Zietsman
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Claim: A Facebook user, Myk Berewa, posted a list of countries, alleging that Sierra Leone is among the best-governed countries in Africa according to the 2025 World Economic Governance Index.
Verdict: Misleading! Sierra Leone is not recorded among the best-governed countries in Africa. According to DUBAWA’s investigation, Sierra Leone scored Cs in all aspects – an average governance performance of 48.0%.
Full Text
The recently released World Economic Governance Index has once again ranked nations on the strength of their governance systems, Rule of Law, World Press Freedom, Corruption, and Political Rights.
Countries at the top of the list are celebrated for strict adherence to the rule of law, efficient public services, and inclusive economic policies. Those at the bottom struggle with weak institutions, corruption, and limited citizen trust.
Perhaps the most telling category is the middle ground: the “average governed” nations. These countries neither excel nor collapse in governance. Averaged countries are scored C, while the best-governed countries are ranked A, and the good-governed countries are ranked B.
Being ranked average means citizens experience a mix of progress and frustration—basic services are delivered, but reforms are slow; accountability exists, but loopholes remain.
However, a prominent Facebook user, Myk Berewa, posted a list of the tenth African countries, alleging that Sierra Leone is among the best-governed countries in Africa according to the 2026 World Economic Governance Index.
The claim has sparked public outrage on social media, with many believing it doesn’t reflect the current situation in the country.
Some of the comments generated on the claim by Myk Berewa.
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim due to its potential to mislead the public.
Verification:
Firstly, DUBAWA conducted a Google keyword search and found that there is no authentic ranking of Sierra Leone as among the 10th “Best Governed” Countries in Africa.
Secondly, we reviewed the 2026 World Economic Governance Index to verify the claim. Our findings are below.
- On the global ranking, only five African countries, like Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, and Botswana, are ranked with Bs -with a “Good governance performance.” And based on data from World Economics, a B-grade (or B-grade category) on the World Economics Governance Index does not typically place a country among the “best governed,” but rather indicates a moderate or declining level of governance. Countries with B grades, such as Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana, are considered top in specific regions like Southern Africa, but this is distinct from being the top globally; this means these African countries are not ranked as the best-governed countries.
- Cape Verde is ranked in the A category, making it the only African country to be graded among the best-governed countries.
- Sierra Leone is ranked in the C category, with an average governance performance, 48.0% behind Senegal (54.0%).
- Although Sierra Leone is not ranked as very poor or poor on the World Economic Index, it is also not among the best-governed countries in Africa.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s investigation shows that Sierra Leone is not among the best-governed countries in Africa according to the World Economic Governance Index 2026. Myk Berewa’s claim is misleading.
