The Latest Breaking News from Afrobarometer

South Africans have lost trust in the police, in parliament and in political parties - what that means

For democracies to function well, citizens have to trust their institutions. Every incidence of bad service delivery or corruption will influence how much citizens trust institutions.

The Conversation · Nov 18, 2025

60% of Africans don’t believe democracy is working in their interests – how parliaments can fix the problem

Across Africa, democracy is being tested – by rising authoritarianism and military coups as well as a growing disconnect between citizens and the institutions meant to represent them.

The Conversation · Sep 1, 2025

One year on: South Africa’s coalition government boosted optimism, but will it last?

For the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994, the ruling African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority in 2024. After 30 years in power, it had to form a coalition with 10 other political parties to govern the country. The creation of the “government of national unity”…

The Conversation · Jun 22, 2025

Do African MPs reflect the people who vote for them? We studied 17 countries to find out

By the end of 2025, 42 African countries will have held national elections in the previous 24 months. But do these elections produce parliaments that accurately reflect the societies they serve? Aside from studies of women in Africa’s legislatures, there is surprisingly little information about this important issue.

The Conversation · Apr 6, 2025

Young, urban, African: research explores what it means to be a good citizen in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania

Young people between the ages of 18 and 35 make up two-thirds of Africa’s population. The number is expected to reach 75% by 2030. They live in an environment of rapid urbanisation, high unemployment rates and poor state services. These are some of the factors that incline young people towards…

The Conversation · Aug 4, 2024

Support for democracy in Africa falls amid military coups and corruption

Africans still have stronger preference for democratic governance than many other parts of the world

The Guardian - UK · Jul 17, 2024

Mining needs more regulation, according to South Africans – survey

South Africa has large reserves of coal, gold, manganese and platinum.

The Conversation · Jun 25, 2024

South Africa elections: voting under way amid grim national mood

Ruling African National Congress party could lose majority for first time since apartheid ended 30 years ago

The Guardian - UK · May 29, 2024

South Africa elections: what are the issues and will ANC lose its majority?

Country goes to polls on 29 May and unemployment, inequality and power cuts have dented ruling party’s support

The Guardian - UK · May 23, 2024

Belief in democracy is on the decline in Africa. Traditional institutions can help restore its importance

Democracy in Africa has not had a good year. Military juntas from Mali to Niger appear to have cemented their grip on power. Sudan’s democratic dreams were dashed when the country’s two most powerful strongmen opted for war. And there’s now evidence that ordinary Africans may be losing faith in…

The Conversation · May 15, 2024