According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), several African nations have made notable strides in ensuring journalistic freedom, transparency, and safety for media professionals.
The ranking, based on global scores, considers factors such as political context, legal framework, economic environment, sociocultural climate, and safety for journalists.
Mauritania Leads the Continent
Mauritania ranked highest among African countries, placing 33rd globally with a score of 74.2. It was closely followed by Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa, all of which featured in the top 40 globally.
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire Make the Top 10
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire also appeared in the top ten for Africa, with Ghana ranked 50th globally. This is a positive sign despite concerns raised in recent years regarding media harassment and political interference.
Full List of Africa’s Top 10 Press Freedom Performers
Here is a breakdown of the top 10 African countries based on the RSF 2024 rankings:
| Rank | Country | Press freedom index | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Mauritania |
74.2 |
33rd |
|
2. |
Namibia |
74.16 |
34th |
|
3. |
Seychelles |
73.75 |
37th |
|
4. |
South Africa |
73.37 |
38th |
|
5. |
Cabo Verde |
72.77 |
41st |
|
6. |
Ghana |
67.71 |
50th |
|
7. |
Ivory Coast |
66.89 |
53rd |
|
8. |
Gabon |
65.83 |
56th |
|
9. |
Mauritius |
65.55 |
57th |
|
10. |
Gambia |
65.53 |
58th |
RSF commends progress but urges caution
Reporters Without Borders noted that while press freedom in parts of Africa is improving, challenges such as censorship, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on access to information still exist in many nations.
They emphasised the need for ongoing reforms and a stronger commitment from governments to uphold press freedom, ensuring journalists can operate without fear or interference.
