Our research


The Foundation produces three flagship research products:
- Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG). The IIAG dataset is released every two years, accompanied by an Index Report outlining the main findings of the Index, continental, regional and country data, and other resources and analytical tools.
- African Governance Report. Every other year, the Foundation publishes an annual African Governance Report, utilising the IIAG in relation to a specific topic relevant to African governance, such as Africa’s progress towards its development agendas.
- Ibrahim Forum Report. The Report is published annually ahead of the Ibrahim Forum at the Foundation’s annual Ibrahim Governance Weekend. It provides the most recent facts, figures and analysis on a specific topic identified as a priority for African governance, such as African migrations, Africa’s youth, urbanisation and agriculture.
The Foundation also works with other organisations to produce joint research products and publishes other research publications briefs and analysis throughout the year.

As the COVID-19 context represents a key challenge for African leadership and governance, the Foundation has decided to focus its resources and expertise on providing the data and analysis relevant to address the impact of this crisis. If you'd like to receive our weekly email with the latest news and research just email us.
MIF aims at telling the African story of COVID-19, assessing the continent’s capacity to manage the pandemic, and its economic, political and social impact, including how it affects African citizens.
Data and analysis are regularly updated. Our COVID-19 report analyses Africa’s readiness and capacity to manage the pandemic:;
COVID-19 in Africa: A call for coordinated governance, improved health structures and better data, April 2020
Download PDFResearch briefs on COVID-19
Africa’s youth: action needed now to support the continent’s greatest asset
Download PDFPopulation-adjusted COVID-19 data: an analysis of Africa, July 2020
Download PDFAfrica’s ‘unsung heroes’ and COVID-19: besides celebration, the need to strengthen capacities, June 2020
Download PDFCOVID-19: A tipping point in the fight against poverty, June 2020
Download PDFCOVID-19 & African debt: further distress or the beginning of a new paradigm?, June 2020
Download PDFCOVID-19 and Africa’s energy sector: a case for starting anew?, May 2020
Download PDFFood insecurity in Africa: deadlier than COVID-19?, May 2020
Download PDFA strain on democracy? African elections and COVID-19, May 2020
Download PDF
IIAG latest reports
2020 Index report
Download PDFAgendas 2063 & 2030: Is Africa on track? (2019)
Download PDFLatest Forum Report
Africa's youth: jobs or migration? Demography, economic prospects and mobility (2019)
Download PDFOther key documents relating to the Index and Forum can be found in the downloads sections, linked on the right.
The Foundation also produces research outside of these major products on issues surrounding the focus of the Foundation’s work, including a series of collaborative research papers, intended to provide in-depth analysis and insights on key issues relevant to governance and leadership in Africa, in addition to our main research outputs.