While global peace continues to decline, Africa presents a more nuanced picture. Mauritius ranked 18th globally, making it not only Africa’s safest country but also one of the safest nations in the world.
While global peace continues to decline, Africa presents a more nuanced picture. The 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI), Institute for Economics & Peace, and Conflict found that the world became less peaceful for the 15th time in the last 18 years, with conflicts in Sudan and other regions contributing to a broader deterioration in global stability.
Yet several African nations continue to stand out for their relative safety, political stability, and low levels of violence. The GPI, which assesses 163 countries using 23 indicators across societal safety and security, conflict, and militarisation, offers a comprehensive measure of peacefulness. Here are the 10 safest countries in Africa according to the latest rankings:
1. Mauritius (Score: 1.586)
Mauritius ranked 18th globally, making it not only Africa’s safest country but also one of the safest nations in the world. The Indian Ocean island has built a reputation for political stability, strong democratic institutions, low levels of violent crime, and a diversified economy. The country's peaceful political transitions have consistently helped it outperform most African nations in global peace and safety rankings.
