10 Poorly Governed Countries in Africa

- South Sudan
Country in North Africa
Description
South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. The country gained its independence from the Republic of the Sudan in 2011, making it the newest country with widespread recognition. Its capital and largest city is Juba.
President: Salva Kiir Mayardit
President: Salva Kiir Mayardit
Founded: July 9, 2011
Population: 12.58 million (2017) World Bank
2. Central African Republic
Country in Central Africa
Description
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the southwest and Cameroon to the west.
President: Faustin-Archange Touadéra
Population: 4.659 million (2017) World Bank
Gross domestic product: 1.949 billion USD (2017) World Bank
3. Liberia
Country in West Africa
Description
Liberia is a country in West Africa, bordering Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire. On the Atlantic coast, the capital city of Monrovia is home to the Liberia National Museum, with its exhibits on national culture and history. Around Monrovia are palm-lined beaches like Silver and CeCe. Along the coast, beach towns include the port of Buchanan, as well as laid-back Robertsport, known for its strong surf.
Spoken and national languages: Liberian English
Population: 4.732 million (2017) World Bank
4. Guinea-Bissau
Country in West Africa
Description
Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country on West Africa’s Atlantic coast that’s known for national parks and wildlife. The forested, sparsely populated Bijagós archipelago is a protected biosphere reserve. Its main island, Bubaque, forms part of the Orango Islands National Park, a habitat for saltwater hippos. On the mainland, the capital, Bissau, is a port with Portuguese colonial buildings in its old city center.
President: José Mário Vaz
Recognised national languages: Upper Guinea Creole
Population: 1.861 million (2017) World Bank
5. Burundi
Country in East Africa
Description
Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. It is also considered part of Central Africa.
Population: 10.86 million (2017) World Bank
6. Libya
Country in North Africa
Description
Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south and Algeria and Tunisia to the west.
President: Mohammed Yousef el-Magariaf
Population: 6.375 million (2017) World Bank
Currency: Libyan dinar
Official language: Arabic
Government: Parliamentary system, Parliamentary republic, Provisional government, Constitutional republic
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Country in Central Africa
Description
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as DR Congo, the DRC, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, is the southernmost country located in Central Africa. It is sometimes referred to by its former name of Zaire, which was its official name between 1971 and 1997.
Population: 81.34 million (2017) World Bank
8. Equatorial Guinea
Country in Central Africa
Description
Equatorial Guinea is a Central African country comprising the Rio Muni mainland and 5 volcanic offshore islands. Capital Malabo, on Bioko Island, has Spanish colonial architecture and is a hub for the country’s prosperous oil industry. Its Arena Blanca beach draws dry-season butterflies. The tropical forest of the mainland’s Monte Alen National Park is home to gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants.
President: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Recognised regional languages: Fang; Bube; Combe; Pidgin English; Annobonese, Igbo
Currency: Central African CFA franc
Population: 1.268 million (2017) World Bank
9. Nigeria
Country in West Africa
Description
Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, has many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. Protected areas such as Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park have waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats. One of the most recognizable sites is Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja that’s pictured on the national currency.
Population: 190.9 million (2017) World Bank
Currency: Nigerian naira
10. Cameroon
Country in Central Africa
Description
Cameroon, on the Gulf of Guinea, is a Central African country of varied terrain and wildlife. Its inland capital, Yaoundé, and its biggest city, the seaport Douala, are transit points to ecotourism sites as well as beach resorts like Kribi – near the Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls, which plunge directly into the sea – and Limbe, where the Limbe Wildlife Centre houses rescued primates.
Population: 24.05 million (2017) World Bank
