Trends that shaped Africa's 2024 election year

The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Africa, with 13 out of the 17 scheduled elections taking place across the continent. Seven incumbent leaders managed to retain power, while six new leaders emerged victorious. This significant event was captured in a report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, shedding light on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance and revealing a concerning trend in participatory and democratic measures between 2014 and 2023. In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Nathalie Delapalme, Executive Director at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, provided valuable insights into the findings and implications of the 2024 elections. Delapalme highlighted the challenges faced in 2024, where 17 executive elections were slated to occur in Africa, representing one-third of African countries and one-fifth of the population. Of the 17 scheduled elections, 13 were conducted, resulting in leadership changes in six countries, including noteworthy power shifts to opposition parties in Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius, and Senegal. The political landscape further saw the African National Congress (ANC) losing its majority in South Africa for the first time, alongside four postponed elections in Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau. The data from these elections illuminated key takeaways. Firstly, it underscored the enduring appeal of democracy among African citizens, as evidenced by robust voter turnout. Secondly, it illustrated the efficacy of democracy in facilitating leadership changes and power transitions, despite concerning trends in democratic principles and participatory spaces, as highlighted in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance. Delapalme emphasized the critical link between governance performance and electoral outcomes, citing the case of Mauritania, where President Ghazwani's re-election correlated with advancements in governance indicators such as participation and media freedom. Moreover, Delapalme addressed the worrisome trend of shrinking political pluralism and diminishing civil society space in the continent. Over the past decade, there has been a notable decline in participatory avenues and democratic engagement, reflecting a global surge in democratic skepticism. She underlined the pivotal role of participation in sustaining democratic processes and the need for bolstering access to polling stations and identification mechanisms to enhance electoral inclusivity. Looking ahead to the upcoming elections in 2025, Delapalme stressed the economic and social challenges looming over African countries, particularly impacting the youth demographic. With 11 elections on the horizon, countries like Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Togo face scrutiny as they navigate the electoral landscape. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's assessment signals a pressing need to address public sentiment on economic prospects and sustainable opportunities, as diverging data trends and public perceptions pose critical considerations for the electoral outcomes. In conclusion, the 2024 elections in Africa unveiled a complex tapestry of democratic narratives, showcasing both the resilience of democratic ideals and the need for continuous vigilance in protecting and enhancing democratic principles. As African nations gear up for a flurry of elections in 2025, the lessons learned from the past year serve as a guiding light in navigating the dynamic terrain of governance and electoral dynamics on the continent.