Africans broadly support their right to join any organisation and for the media to be free from censorship. They want the media to report on government mistakes. Yet, their experience of these freedoms is not consistent. In many places, these freedoms are shrinking. They are increasingly limited by the very governments meant to protect them. This is according to the latest Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile.
The new report is based on 50,961 interviews. These interviews took place across 38 African countries in 2024 and 2025. Many citizens say they can associate freely and vote without pressure. However, only 13 of the countries have majorities of people who feel “completely” free to say what they think. The sense of freedom to express oneself has decreased over the last ten years. Only a slim majority of Africans believe their media is truly free.
On average across the 38 countries surveyed, more than six in 10 Africans, or 64%, confirm the right to join any organisation they choose. Strong majorities support media freedom. Some 65% agree that the media should publish without government control. Another 72% believe the media should investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption. About two-thirds, or 65%, of citizens feel “somewhat” or “completely” free to say what they think.
In 25 out of the 38 surveyed countries, fewer than half of citizens feel “completely” free to express their views. This feeling of complete freedom of speech is particularly rare in Eswatini at 18% and Togo at 15%. Comoros reported only 8% and Congo-Brazzaville just 7%. Across 28 countries surveyed consistently since 2014, assessments of this freedom have dropped by 7 percentage points. This trend reveals a widening gap between citizens' aspirations and their lived realities.
Afrobarometer is a research network. It is based in Africa and is not politically aligned. It provides trustworthy data on how Africans experience and view democracy, governance, and life quality. Since 1999, it has completed ten survey rounds in up to 45 countries. The 2024/2025 Round 10 surveys cover 38 countries. Afrobarometer’s National Partners conduct interviews face-to-face. These interviews are with representative samples of adults in their preferred language. They yield country-level results with small margins of error.
The implications of these findings are significant for governance and development across the continent. A decline in perceived freedoms can stifle economic innovation. It can also hinder public participation in decision-making processes. Governments that limit civic space may face increased public discontent. This could lead to instability. For investors and international partners, this trend raises questions about the long-term stability and predictability of the business and political environment in affected nations. Economic growth often thrives in environments that protect open discourse and the rule of law. The report suggests that these foundations are weakening in several African nations.