For many years, African governments have faced corruption, poor public services, and broken promises. Because of this, many people no longer trust their leaders.
Take Nigeria as an example—only 44% of people there trust their government.
According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, 6 out of 10 people feel that governments and big companies only help the rich, leaving ordinary people behind. This has been happening for over 25 years, and it’s causing frustration and slowing down progress.
Here are the four main reasons why trust is getting worse:
1. Fear for the Future
Many people have lost hope. Only 36% believe that the next generation will live better lives than they do. When people feel hopeless, it’s hard for them to believe that leaders care about them.
2. The Gap Between Rich and Poor
Wealthy people trust leaders more than poor people do. About 61% of rich people trust institutions, compared to just 48% of low-income earners.
3. Bad Leadership
People don’t just distrust politicians—many also don’t believe business leaders or journalists. In fact, 69% of people think these leaders are lying or hiding the truth. This number has grown a lot since 2021.
4. Fake News and Confusion
It’s getting harder to know what’s true and what’s not. Around 63% of people say it’s difficult to tell real news from fake news. Because of this, people don’t know who to trust anymore—not even the media.
All these problems are creating a cycle of distrust, making it even harder to fix things or move forward.
Countries in Africa with the Lowest Trust in Government
Nigeria – 44% Trust
People in Nigeria don’t trust the government because of corruption, poor services, and broken promises. Many feel politicians care more about themselves than the country. Unfair elections and insecurity have also made things worse.
Kenya – 38% Trust
Kenyans are also losing trust. Corruption is still a big problem. Many believe leaders care more about rich and powerful people. Last year’s protests against new taxes made people feel even more ignored.
South Africa – 36% Trust
In South Africa, trust is falling because of corruption, power cuts, joblessness, and poor leadership. Many feel their leaders are not fixing the problems, especially when it comes to crime and inequality.