African countries with the highest distrust in government

Trust in institutions is crumbling, and it’s not hard to see why. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer tells us that six in ten people feel a deep sense of grievance, convinced that government and big business serve only the wealthy while ordinary people are left behind.

For the past 25 years, institutional failures have fueled growing frustration, slowing down progress and innovation. People feel increasingly disillusioned, and four major factors are driving this sense of grievance.

One of the biggest concerns is fear of the future. Only 36% of people believe the next generation will be better off than they are. This widespread pessimism signals a loss of hope, making it harder for individuals to trust that institutions are working in their best interest.

Another key issue is the growing divide between the rich and everyone else. Wealthier people tend to have more confidence in institutions, with a 61% trust rate, compared to just 48% among lower-income groups.

Then there’s the crisis of leadership. It’s not just politicians losing credibility—business leaders and journalists are also facing record-low levels of trust. A shocking 69% of people believe these figures deliberately mislead the public, a number that has jumped 11 points since 2021.

Finally, the information crisis has made trust even harder to maintain. With 63% of people saying it’s becoming more difficult to tell real news from misinformation, many are unsure where to turn for reliable facts. As the lines between truth and deception blur, public confidence in media and institutions continues to erode.

Together, these factors create a dangerous cycle of distrust, making it even more difficult to rebuild faith in leadership, policy, and progress. In Africa, the following countries have the highest levels of distrust in their government:

Nigeria faces deep-seated distrust in its government, with only 44% of people expressing trust. Years of corruption scandals, poor public services, and unfulfilled promises have eroded confidence. Citizens often feel disconnected from leadership, believing that politicians prioritize personal gain over national progress. Economic struggles and insecurity further fuel public scepticism. Controversial elections marred by irregularities, allegations of vote rigging, and lack of transparency have further deepened public scepticism.

With a 38% trust score, Kenya’s government faces significant credibility challenges. Corruption remains a persistent issue, with scandals shaking public confidence. Many Kenyans feel their leaders serve political elites rather than ordinary citizens. The Finance Bill protests of last year further deepened distrust, as citizens expressed outrage over proposed tax increases, which many saw as a burden on ordinary people while benefiting the political class.

At 36%, South Africans exhibit declining trust in government due to corruption, economic instability, and governance failures. Issues like high unemployment, power shortages, and mismanagement have fueled public resentment. Many citizens feel their leaders fail to address inequality and crime, leading to increasing disillusionment with political institutions and democracy.