Tanzania Records Africa’s Biggest Improvement in Government Performance Since 2021, Ranks Fifth on the Continent
Tanzania has recorded the largest improvement in overall government performance scores among the African countries assessed since 2021, according to the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI).
In the index’s sixth edition, Tanzania ranked fifth in Africa and 80th globally out of 133 countries. The results highlight changes in the country’s performance across several areas of government capability and effectiveness.
The Chandler Good Government Index is published by Chandler Governance Group and provides an international framework for assessing government capabilities, institutional performance and governance outcomes.
Tanzania’s Position Among African Countries
The five highest-ranked African countries in the 2026 index are:
- Mauritius – 55th globally
- Rwanda – 62nd globally
- Botswana – 70th globally
- Morocco – 79th globally
- Tanzania – 80th globally
South Africa ranked sixth in Africa and 85th globally.
Tanzania therefore combined the largest improvement in overall index score among the African countries assessed since 2021 with a fifth-place position in the continent-wide ranking for 2026.
What Does the Chandler Good Government Index Measure?
The 2026 edition assesses 133 countries, representing approximately 94% of the world’s population. It uses 35 indicators grouped into seven main pillars:
- Leadership and Foresight: Innovation, long-term vision, ethical leadership and adaptability.
- Robust Laws and Policies: Rule of law, judicial quality, transparency and regulatory governance.
- Strong Institutions: Bureaucratic quality, institutional coordination and policy implementation.
- Financial Stewardship: Public debt, budget balance and government spending efficiency.
- Attractive Marketplace: Property rights, investment attraction, logistics and business regulation.
- Global Influence and Reputation: International trade, diplomacy and national reputation.
- Helping People Rise: Education, health, employment, personal safety and public-service outcomes.
The index is designed to help governments benchmark their capabilities, identify institutional gaps and monitor changes over time.
Key Areas of Improvement in Tanzania
According to the published findings, Tanzania recorded notable gains in the Robust Laws and Policies and Strong Institutions pillars between 2021 and 2026.
In Robust Laws and Policies, Tanzania’s global position improved from 89th in 2021 to 85th in 2026.
The Strong Institutions pillar recorded the country’s largest improvement in score. However, its global ranking in this category moved from 92nd to 100th, illustrating that an increase in a country’s score does not necessarily translate into a better relative ranking.
Tanzania also made progress in the Innovation indicator under Leadership and Foresight. Its global position improved from 83rd in 2021 to 43rd in 2026.
Nevertheless, the country’s performance was not uniform across all areas. Financial Stewardship and Global Influence and Reputation were the two pillars in which Tanzania’s scores declined over the same period.
Implications for Business and Investment
Governance indicators can provide useful context for international companies and investors assessing business environments in different countries.
Factors such as regulatory quality, institutional effectiveness, policy implementation and the predictability of government processes can influence decisions about entering new markets and establishing long-term business operations.
For foreign investors and Iranian companies considering Tanzania, the CGGI findings offer an additional reference point for understanding the country’s institutional environment and areas of progress.
However, a position in a governance index does not by itself guarantee investment security, easier company registration or commercial success. Investors should also assess sector-specific regulations, taxation, foreign-exchange conditions, licensing requirements and the reliability of local business partners.
Conclusion
Tanzania ranked fifth in Africa and 80th globally in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index. It also recorded the largest improvement in overall government performance scores among the African countries assessed since 2021.
Progress in areas such as laws and policies, institutions and innovation were among the notable findings. At the same time, declines in Financial Stewardship and Global Influence and Reputation indicate that performance has varied across the index’s seven pillars.
For international businesses, the results provide additional context for evaluating Tanzania’s institutional and economic environment, while investment decisions still require detailed assessments of sector-specific opportunities and risks.
Sources:
- Chandler Governance Group, Chandler Good Government Index 2026 and Tanzania Country Profile.
- The Guardian Tanzania, “Tanzania placed at fifth position for governance gains for Africa,” October 26, 2026.
- TanzaniaInvest, “Tanzania Records Africa’s Biggest Government Performance Gain Since 2021,” October 26, 2026.
