Countries with the Best Judiciary Systems in Africa

"True freedom requires the rule of law and justice, and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others."

 - Jonathan Sacks

The usefulness of a healthy and independent judiciary in a country cannot be over-emphasized. Every nation needs a reliable judiciary because as the saying goes 'the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.'

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 2017-2018 has carried out a research in 137 countries around the world to rank them based on their judiciary. 

The parameters for the ranking among many things include the independence of the judicial system in the country which is free from government, individual or corporate influence.

The is no denying the fact that every one wants to live in a country where they are sure of justice and fairness. No one wants to live in a country where the judiciary is a puppet of the executive or in the pockets of governments or a few individuals.

It is better to have a corrupt executive than to have a corrupt judiciary.

We have picked out the top 5 African countries on the list of countries with the best judiciary system as released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 2017-2018.

These are the top 5 African countries with the best judiciary:

5. South Africa

On number five is South Africa. The country boasts of fearless judges who are bent on delivering justice no matter what it takes. 

You will recall that the judiciary in the country overturned some appointments made by former president, Jacob Zuma. 

South Africa scored 4.9 out of 7 to make it 36th on the global stage and fifth best in Africa.

4. Mauritius

The Courts in Mauritius were recently described as “well-reasoned and fair” institutions that offer clear and understandable judgments. 

Mauritius is the most democratic country in the African continent whose judiciary is independent and based on the concept of separation of powers.

The country scored 5.0 out of 7.

3. Egypt

Egypt boasts of free access to the justice system and legal aid that are both constitutional rights. 

These can be found in various legislative instruments including the Criminal Procedures Code, Family Law, Advocacy Law, Child (Juvenile) Law, and Human Trafficking Law. 

The country scored 5.1 out of 7.

2. Namibia

Ranking 29 globally, this is the second country in Africa that has improved its judicial independence, scoring 5.3 out of 7 on the ranking scale. 

In 2016, the country established an independent body of the Judiciary that separated it from the Ministry of Justice. This singular act put the country on the world map as one which values transparency and the rule of law.

1. Rwanda

Rwanda has been ranked to have the best judiciary system in Africa and the country occupied the 23rd spot on the global ranking.

This means it was ranked higher than the USA, France and Germany, isn't that surprising?

The country scored an impressive 5.6 out of 7.

Header Image Credit: Seychelles News Agency