Africa Faces a Defining Opportunity to Modernize Public Service Delivery, Says New Index from AfDB. Africa stands at a pivotal moment to modernize and transform the delivery of basic public services, according to the new Public Service Delivery Index (PSDI) launched by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The study, unveiled during the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, not only offers a detailed assessment of the current state of public services across the continent, but also charts a path toward structural, sustainable, and inclusive improvement in every African country.
Based on official statistical data and citizen perception surveys, the PSDI measures how effectively African governments deliver key services in areas such as education, healthcare, access to water and sanitation, energy, transport, security, environmental protection, and trade. Beyond highlighting countries already showing strong results, the index is presented as a transformational tool, designed to support all African states in reforming their public services and better responding to the needs of their citizens.
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“This is not just a ranking,” said AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina. “It is an invitation for all governments to rethink the role of the public sector as a generator of collective well-being. Every country, no matter where it starts, has the potential to improve by investing in innovation, talent, and effective governance.”
The report identifies Mauritius, Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, and Morocco as regional leaders in service delivery. However, the true message of the PSDI is that progress is within reach for all. The key lies in building institutional capacity, investing in public sector talent, and implementing management systems that prioritize measurable results and real impact for citizens.
Examples such as Mauritius’ Public Service and Innovation Institute, which works to professionalize the country’s administration, and Nigeria’s Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, which is training a new generation of reform-oriented public servants, illustrate the kind of initiatives that can be adapted and replicated across the continent.
The PSDI arrives at a time when African nations must not only pursue economic growth but also strengthen the social contract with their people. Modernizing public services is no longer a luxury—it is an urgent necessity to ensure equitable access, reduce inequalities, boost productivity, and reinforce state legitimacy.
With the index set to be published every two years and the launch of the Public Service Delivery Award for Africa—to be presented for the first time in 2027—the African Development Bank aims to foster a culture of positive competition, shared learning, and continuous improvement among its member countries. The goal is clear: no country should be left behind on the path to more efficient, transparent, and innovative public administration.
As Professor Kevin Urama, the Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance, stated, “Transforming Africa’s public sector is possible—if governments commit to act. It’s no longer just about how much is spent, but how each service is delivered and who it actually reaches.”
The publication of the PSDI thus marks the beginning of a new chapter for Africa: a historic opportunity to make public service delivery a driving force for human development, social cohesion, and shared prosperity.
