# What are the most functional African countries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 6, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531 "2010-05-06T17:29:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/21 "2010-05-07T15:26:09Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are the most functional SSA countries, and depending on your definition of “functional”, SA outstrips the other two in regards things like telecoms, infrastructure, tertiary education, science, agricultural output, industrial output etc. Nam and Botswana are primarily mineral producers and little else. Although it’s not exactly representative of the country as a whole, check out Google’s aerial photos of Windhoek, Namibia. From the air, [it doesn’t appear to be that much different than a small city in the Southwestern United States](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=las+cruces,+new+mexico&sll=-22.565909,17.07696&sspn=0.047159,0.098104&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Las+Cruces,+Dona+Ana,+New+Mexico&ll=32.314338,-106.783934&spn=0.04316,0.098104&t=h&z=14). I’ve checked out online real estate listings for Windhoek, and many houses are indistinguishable from what one might see in southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. Then again, Harare doesn’t look bad from the air, either, although looks can be deceiving. Large lots, large houses, plenty of swimming pools, paved roads, and oh-so-British neighborhood and street names. I’ve read that Kampala also used to be a pleasant city in the days before Idi Amin. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/22 "2010-05-07T15:34:28Z")
> [@](#): > > If Nigeria ever managed to sort out its governmental corruption problem (and there are those who are trying) it’d be a seriously powerhouse for Africa. There’s a lot of of oil and other mineral money floating around. They’re even got booming movie industry (“Nollywood”), although we’re talking videos rather than cinema films. It’s not all 419ers there. I’ve read that Nigeria also has a serious crime problem. And serious gang-related violent crimes not just email scams. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/23 "2010-05-07T16:48:28Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Although it’s not exactly representative of the country as a whole, check out Google’s aerial photos of Windhoek, Namibia. From the air, it doesn’t appear to be that much different than a small city in the Southwestern United States. I’ve checked out online real estate listings for Windhoek, and many houses are indistinguishable from what one might see in southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. Try looking at the nicer bits of Cape Town or Johannesburg. Same thing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Philosopher)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/24 "2010-05-07T17:22:31Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Try looking at the nicer bits of Cape Town or Johannesburg. Same thing. [Sadr City](http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sadr+City,+Baghdad&sll=33.3157,44.3922&sspn=0.25362,0.617294&g=Baghdad&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sadr+City,+Iraq&ll=33.388883,44.459696&spn=0.031676,0.077162&t=h&z=14) in Baghdad looks OK from above as well. [Not so great](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Sadr_City-July_2005_CPT.jpg) from street level. I’ve heard Togo cited as a fairly stable, prosperous African country before, but I know it’s still a pretty dangerous place. Assaults and carjacking in broad daylight are not uncommon in the capital. And I’m not sure about Nigeria getting an “unfair reputation”; apparently at least three separate regions of the country are so dangerous and unstable they are literally off-limits. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/25 "2010-05-07T17:48:57Z")
Benin should probably be getting some love in this thread as well, shouldn’t it? I mean, sure, it’s pretty darned poor, but it’s got a decently democratic government. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/26 "2010-05-07T18:26:09Z")
According to the [Ibrahim Index of African Governance](http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/en/section/the-ibrahim-index), the top 15 (of 53) are: Mauritius 82.83 Cape Verde 78.01 Seychelles 77.13 Botswana 73.59 South Africa 69.44 Namibia 68.81 Ghana 65.96 Tunisia 65.81 Lesotho 61.18 Sao Tome and Principe 60.23 Egypt 60.09 Tanzania 59.24 Madagascar 58.37 Algeria 58.36 Benin 58.20 Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Togo and Zimbabwe are all in the _bottom_ 20 of the list. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/27 "2010-05-07T19:00:16Z")
See, this? This kind of discussion, with real-world answers from people who’ve been there and know what they’re talking about? This is why I love the Dope. Thanks, everyone. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/28 "2010-05-07T19:06:16Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > See, this? This kind of discussion, with real-world answers from people who’ve been there and know what they’re talking about? This is why I love the Dope. Thanks, everyone. You Are most Welcome, Mr. elindil’sheir. Please to be announcing to you the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILLION U.S. dollars to be given to you should you reply to this post in a hurriedly fashion. Time must be not wasted!!! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/29 "2010-05-07T19:18:26Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > You Are most Welcome, Mr. elindil’sheir. Please to be announcing to you the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILLION U.S. dollars to be given to you should you reply to this post in a hurriedly fashion. Time must be not wasted!!! If you’re from Botswana, you’re on. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/30 "2010-05-07T19:27:55Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > According to the [Ibrahim Index of African Governance](http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/en/section/the-ibrahim-index), the top 15 (of 53) are: > > Mauritius 82.83 > Cape Verde 78.01 > Seychelles 77.13 > Botswana 73.59 > South Africa 69.44 > Namibia 68.81 > Ghana 65.96 > Tunisia 65.81 > Lesotho 61.18 > Sao Tome and Principe 60.23 > Egypt 60.09 > Tanzania 59.24 > Madagascar 58.37 > Algeria 58.36 > Benin 58.20 > > Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Togo and Zimbabwe are all in the _bottom_ 20 of the list. Wait a second - how the hell did Egypt beat out Madagascar? Madagascar has relatively free and fair elections on a fairly regular basis! I mean, sure, they’ve trended downwards on press freedoms for a few years - but they were also in the first group of states to get a grant from the US’ Millennium Development Corporation! And that org is set up specifically to promote democratic development. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/31 "2010-05-07T19:32:53Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Wait a second - how the hell did Egypt beat out Madagascar? Madagascar has relatively free and fair elections on a fairly regular basis! I mean, sure, they’ve trended downwards on press freedoms for a few years - but they were also in the first group of states to get a grant from the US’ Millennium Development Corporation! And that org is set up specifically to promote democratic development. Nevermind - took a look at the cite. The Ibrahim Index combines economic development and political/human rights factors. On the breakdown, Egypt trounced Madagascar on development, but trailed badly on human rights/political participation. Which actually sounds about right. Go Madagascar! Build an economy! You can do it! (Is it weird to cheer countries?) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/32 "2010-05-07T19:48:22Z")
Ah, I see you’ve done what I was gonna suggest. We can debate how these categories are scored, and the Ibrahim Foundation admits there are holes in their data sets. But, overall, they’re looking at many more indicators than the Human Development Index cited earlier. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/33 "2010-05-07T20:55:54Z")
> [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](#): > > [Sadr City](http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sadr+City,+Baghdad&sll=33.3157,44.3922&sspn=0.25362,0.617294&g=Baghdad&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sadr+City,+Iraq&ll=33.388883,44.459696&spn=0.031676,0.077162&t=h&z=14) in Baghdad looks OK from above as well. [Not so great](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Sadr_City-July_2005_CPT.jpg) from street level. Sorry, but from above, Sadr City looks like a slum IMHO. A bit more planned than the more organic, sprawling slums of Africa, but still a slum. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/34 "2010-05-07T21:19:11Z")
I have been to Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo… Kigali and Kampala seem to function quite well on the whole, and the paved roads in Sudan as well as internet everywhere in northern Sudan via the mobile network work well. It is hard to find good things to say about DR Congo… the place is a mess and given the terrain a very difficult place to develop. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/35 "2010-05-08T01:42:09Z")
In Cameroon, we only half jokingly referred to Nigeria as the “land of plenty.” Because they have a bit of a manufacturing base, consumer goods were available at affordable prices- something that was not at all true of Cameroon, where the few things available for purchase were often insanely priced imports. Nigeria was seen as a land of universities, good jobs, decent roads and comfortable cities. Yes, crime is a massive problem- but economically it stands head and shoulders over anything in the area. Equatorial Guinea is by no means a functional country. Despite having one of the highest GDPs in Africa, something like 70% of the country lives on less than a dollar a day. It’s probably one of the more purely corrupt places on this planet. I flew on a Malabo-bound plane once stuffed with huge women wearing three gold rings on each finger clutching dozens of Dubai Duty Free luxury brand shopping bags. Meanwhile, the vast majority of the country has no clean water, no health care, limited access to schools, etc. I’d put Cameroon smack in the middle. Certainly starvation is not a big problem, war is unlikely, and crime is somewhat under control. The government is corrupt but at this point stable. Basic infrastructure is lacking, but for most people day-to-day life is not too bad. A middle class is slowly emerging. Community life and traditions remain strong and fulfilling. ---
**Author:** ![94MLD94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/85f322/32.png) [@94MLD94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/94MLD94)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531/36 "2013-12-05T23:37:47Z")
In Windhoek’s defence (and my VERY biased opinion), it has been named by some (I hope they’re certified in this field) as the cleanest city in Africa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-functional-african-countries/538531.md?page=1)