Rule of Law Index Report: SSA performance

The latest report by the World Justice Project has unveiled the findings of the Rule of Law Index across the globe, shedding light on the adherence to rule of law in 142 countries and jurisdictions worldwide. Alicia Evangilides, the Director of the Rule of Law Index at World Justice Project, discussed the performance of Sub-Saharan Africa in this regard and its impact on economic outcomes. The report highlighted that global rule of law has continued to deteriorate for the sixth consecutive year, with more countries experiencing declines than improvements. This year, 59 percent of the countries covered by the index saw a decline, while only 41 percent showed improvement. This trend signifies that over six billion people are living in countries where the rule of law has weakened, affecting approximately 76 percent of the world's population. Evangilides emphasized that some of these individuals reside in conflict-ridden nations, making data collection and surveys more challenging. Despite challenges, there were some surprises in the report, with countries experiencing both improvements and declines. Sub-Saharan Africa emerged as one of the regions with significant fluctuations in rule of law scores. Of the 34 countries measured in the continent, 20 countries witnessed a decline, while 14 showed improvement. On average, Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a notable drop in the rule of law score, second only to South Asia. However, amidst these fluctuations, Kenya emerged as a standout performer, ranking as the world's third biggest improver on the rule of law in 2023. The nation also excelled in civil justice, showcasing significant progress in this aspect. The positive performance of Kenya signifies a ray of hope for the region. The correlation between the rule of law and economic outcomes was also discussed during the interview. While the Rule of Law Index does not directly measure economic indicators, there is a positive correlation between countries with stronger rule of law and higher GDP per capita. Nations with weaker rule of law often face economic challenges, indicating the importance of a robust legal framework in fostering economic development. The significance of the Rule of Law Index reports was underscored in the context of international financial institutions and development organizations. WJP data serves as a crucial resource for institutions like the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the World Bank Governance Indicators, aiding in the evaluation of countries for various purposes. Additionally, the data is utilized by banks assessing sovereign investment risk and by businesses considering market expansion or investments. The assessment of a country's rule of law performance directly influences how investors perceive it, making it a valuable market research tool. The report is instrumental in providing insights into the legal landscape of different nations and its implications for international stakeholders. Moving forward, leveraging the data from the Rule of Law Index can offer valuable insights for decision-making and policy formulation across various sectors, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the rule of law globally.