Published: October 16, 2026
5 Key Facts
- Mauritius is Africa's safest country for the 19th consecutive year. It ranks 18th in the world with a 2026 Global Peace Index score of 1.586.
- Equatorial Guinea is second in Africa (38th globally, 1.720), followed by Botswana in third (50th globally, 1.823).
- Sierra Leone ranks 8th in Africa and 74th globally. The country fought a brutal civil war that ended in 2002. Its ranking is a story of recovery.
- Ghana slipped from 61st globally in 2025 to 76th in 2026, but it still holds 10th place in Africa with a score of 1.943.
- Peace improved in 27 African countries over the past year, but Sub-Saharan Africa's average score still slipped 0.2 percent to 2.283. Violence in the Sahel is the main drag.
Top 10 Safest Countries in Africa 2026: the full ranking
| Rank | Country | GPI Score 2026 | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mauritius | 1.586 | 18th |
| 2 | Equatorial Guinea | 1.720 | 38th |
| 3 | Botswana | 1.823 | 50th |
| 4 | The Gambia | 1.837 | 56th |
| 5 | Madagascar | 1.849 | 59th |
| 6 | Namibia | 1.872 | 63rd |
| 7 | Morocco | 1.887 | 65th |
| 8 | Sierra Leone | 1.937 | 74th |
| 9 | Senegal | 1.939 | 75th |
| 10 | Ghana | 1.943 | 76th |
Mauritius sits 0.134 points clear of its nearest African rival, Equatorial Guinea. The gap between #1 Mauritius (1.586) and #10 Ghana (1.943) is 0.357 points, wider than the gap between #2 and #9. The island nation remains in a league of its own.
10 Selected Details
1. Mauritius: 18th in the world
Mauritius is Africa's most peaceful country for the 19th straight year. The island nation scores well on institutional stability and low levels of conflict. It is the only African country in the global top 20.
2. Equatorial Guinea: 38th in the world
Equatorial Guinea is Africa's surprise runner-up. The oil-rich Central African state ranks 38th globally. Low conflict exposure and limited militarization drive its strong score.
3. Botswana: 50th in the world
Botswana has been a democracy since independence in 1966. That long record of stable governance shows in its score of 1.823. It is Southern Africa's safest mainland country.
4. The Gambia: 56th in the world
The Gambia ranks fourth in Africa and 56th globally. The small West African country has consolidated peace since its political transition in 2016 and 2017. It is the highest-ranked country in mainland West Africa.
5. Madagascar: 59th in the world
Madagascar is fifth in Africa with a score of 1.849. The island nation benefits from geographic isolation from the continent's conflict zones. It ranks 59th in the world.
6. Namibia: 63rd in the world
Namibia has been stable since independence in 1990. It scores 1.872 and ranks 63rd globally. Low population density and limited militarization help its peace profile.
7. Morocco: 65th in the world
Morocco is the only North African country in Africa's top 10. It ranks 65th globally with a score of 1.887. The kingdom pairs a strong tourism sector with relative domestic stability.
8. Sierra Leone: 74th in the world
Sierra Leone's ranking is the most remarkable story on this list. The country endured a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002. Two decades of peacebuilding have lifted it to 8th in Africa and 74th in the world.
9. Senegal: 75th in the world
Senegal ranks 9th in Africa with a score of 1.939. The country is known for democratic stability in a turbulent region. It sits one place ahead of Ghana.
10. Ghana: 76th in the world
Ghana rounds out the top 10 with a score of 1.943. It slid from 61st globally in 2025. In 2022 it ranked 40th in the world. The downward trend is worth watching, but Ghana remains one of Africa's safest countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the safest country in Africa in 2026?
Mauritius. The island nation ranks 18th in the world in the 2026 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.586. It has held the African top spot for 19 consecutive years.
How is the Global Peace Index calculated?
The Institute for Economics and Peace scores 163 countries on 23 indicators. The indicators fall into three areas: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarization. A lower score means a more peaceful country.
Why is South Africa not among Africa's safest countries?
South Africa does not make the African top 10. High rates of violent crime, including robbery and kidnapping, weigh down its safety score. The country carries a Level 2 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State.
Is Ghana still safe despite its GPI slide?
Yes. Ghana fell from 61st globally in 2025 to 76th in 2026, but it still ranks 10th in Africa. Accra remains West Africa's most established business hub. The trend deserves attention, not alarm.
Which part of Africa is the least peaceful?
The Sahel. Escalating violence there drags down the continent's average, even though 27 African countries improved their scores in 2026. The region accounts for more than half of global terrorism deaths.
Data Sources
- Institute for Economics and Peace, 2026 Global Peace Index (released June 9, 2026). Reported via Ecofin Agency.
- Sierra Leone Monitor: Sierra Leone 8th in Africa, 74th globally, full top-10 list with scores.
- ATQ News: Mauritius 19th consecutive year at Africa's top; Sahel terrorism context.
- FurtherAfrica: Ghana's slide from 61st (2025) to 76th (2026), score 1.943.
- Cape Times: South Africa outside the top 10; U.S. travel advisory context.
Methodology
This ranking uses the 2026 Global Peace Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace on June 9, 2026. African positions are derived from each country's global rank and overall score. A lower score means a more peaceful country. The index covers 163 independent states and territories, representing 99.7 percent of the world's population, and scores them on 23 indicators across societal safety and security, ongoing conflict, and militarization. The data reflects conditions assessed in the 2025 calendar year.
