The 2026 BTI Transformation Index reveals that systemic political dogmatism and factional battles within the ANC have severely constrained South Africa's innovative policymaking.
South Africa’s long-term development has been hindered by systemic challenges rooted in the ANC’s rigid ideological policies.
This is according to the 2026 Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) report, which revealed that South Africa faces considerable structural obstacles to its future development.
The report stated that political dogmatism within the ANC restricted flexible policymaking for 30 years.
BTI is a biennial global ranking and analysis tool that measures the quality of democracy, economic development, and political management in developing and transition countries.
