African Nations with the Least Civic Freedom in 2025

Civic space in Africa has become ground zero for a poignant tussle, drawing government entities, activists, and citizens into a conflict over essential freedoms. It’s a vivid spectacle, showcasing courage and resilience on one side, and a draconian clampdown on liberties on the other. It beckons us to ask, what value do we place on our freedom of expression, and how far are we willing to go to protect it?

While there are still beacons of steadfastness, countries that cling stubbornly to the ideals of free speech and peaceful assembly, an alarming number are becoming hostile terrains for these freedoms. Nations deploying censorship and stifling protests through brute force are on the rise. They even craft meticulous regulations designed to choke civil society groups. It’s a disheartening trend that begs an introspective look at how power dynamics are shifting on the continent.

Striking a hopeful contrast, Botswana and Liberia have surged forward, showing promise in the protection of civic liberties. However, as light flickers brighter in some regions, shadows deepen elsewhere. Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Ethiopia, and Kenya, amongst others, are witnessing a troubling decline. In Burkina Faso, the fresh echoes of a military coup in September 2022 still reverberate, amplifying state repression.

Freedom of the press particularly suffers in Burkina Faso under Ibrahim Traoré’s ruling junta. Since October 2023, around 12 media outlets have been shuttered for daring to report on security matters. Journalists and activists tread cautiously on a perilous path, navigating an environment where speaking truth to power invites peril.

The struggle extends across sub-Saharan Africa, pitting press freedom and civil liberties against mounting oppression. How, then, do journalists and activists persevere amidst such adversity? The past year has shown us that detaining journalists remains the most prevalent infringement on civic spaces. This is closely followed by physical violence against them, the capture of human rights defenders (HRDs), the arrest of peaceful protesters, and outright censorship that gags free expression.

In no less than 17 African countries, arbitrary arrests have become a blunt instrument wielded to intimidate and silence HRDs, particularly those advocating for democracy, environmental guardianship, and labor rights. It’s a dim landscape, painted in the hues of fear and enforced silences. Governments lean heavily on legal harassment, prolonged pretrial lockups, and amorphous charges such as “spreading false information” or “threatening national security” to quash dissenting voices.

Amidst this backdrop of piecemeal freedoms and heavy-handed tactics, one inevitably asks: Will the relentless quest for control stifle the indomitable spirit that lies within the African heart?

The Most Challenging Regions for Civic Freedom in Africa as of 2025:

In understanding these dynamics, we find a complex tapestry woven with struggle, courage, and determination. One poignant question remains: In the face of adversity, can the voices fighting for freedom wade through the darkness to light the path for generations to come?