South Africa was ranked fourth out of 21 countries in a new survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF) rating African countries for good governance. Botswana was ranked first.
The study — released on the opening day of the WEF’s Africa Economic summit in Durban on Wednesday — ranked countries on the rule of law, impressions of corruption, and the enforcement of contracts.
It forms part of the Africa Competitiveness Report 2003/04 to be unveiled later this year.
”The public institutions index is a very important component of our assessment of a country’s competitiveness and overall prospects for economic growth,” WEF economist Fiona Paua said.
South Africa ranked fourth on the list, below Tunisia and Gambia, and ahead of Mauritius and Egypt.
Botswana was ranked as the least corrupt and best in adhering to contracts and the rule of law.
According to the WEF, South Africa was seen as the third least corrupt nation in Africa, but the overall impression of the country was dragged down by the perceived costs linked to organised crime.
Zimbabwe, which is facing continuing political and economic crisis, was ranked 16 of the 21 countries, with its judiciary seen as the least independent in the region.
Nigeria and Chad propped up the list as having the worst public institutions.
The index was calculated from almost 2000 responses to the Swiss-based forum’s Executive Opinion Survey 2003, which captured the impressions of national business leaders on the quality of the business environment in which they operated.
WEF director for Africa Haiko Alfeld said that it hoped, by shining a light on the best and worst practices, the WEF could help improve the state of governance on the continent. – Sapa