Seychelles tops Africa’s 2024 Infrastructure Index with a near-perfect score of 99.77

Key takeaways:

  • Seychelles leads Africa with a near-perfect AIDI score of 99.77.
  • Egypt and Libya follow with strong performances of 91.43 and 85.84, respectively.
  • Tunisia ranks 6th with a score of 74.18, showing consistent infrastructure growth.
  • Morocco and Algeria, despite being major economies, scored below 75.
  • Botswana rounds out the top 10 with a score of 42.13, nearly double Nigeria’s score.
  • Nigeria, despite its economic size, scored just 25.70, far below the continental leaders, highlighting major infrastructure gaps.

Seychelles stands out as Africa’s top performer in infrastructure development for 2024, achieving an almost perfect score of 99.77 on the African Infrastructure Development Index (AIDI). The chart showcases the leading countries on the continent in terms of infrastructure, with Seychelles not just topping the list but also setting a benchmark that reflects consistent progress across multiple sectors such as energy, transport, ICT, and water. Following Seychelles are Egypt (91.43), Libya (85.84), and Mauritius (82.77), further indicating how Northern and island nations are leading the pack.
For many Africans, especially those in rapidly urbanising areas, stable electricity, reliable transport, and internet access are still not guaranteed. Thus, seeing countries like Seychelles and Mauritius reach such high AIDI scores reflects what's possible when policy, planning, and public investment align. These scores translate into tangible improvements—shorter commutes, better water access, and stronger digital infrastructure—realities that millions across the continent are still aspiring towards.

Source:

AfDB

Period:

2024
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Seychelles’ infrastructure score more than doubled in 20 years, hitting 99.77 in 2024
  • Seychelles' AIDI score more than doubled between 2003 (47.43) and 2024 (99.77).
  • The score crossed the 70-point mark in 2009 and jumped past 90 in 2013.
  • Between 2012 and 2024, the country maintained an AIDI score above 89, showing long-term infrastructure strength.
  • From 2003 to 2008, the score rose steadily each year, averaging more than 2 points annually.
  • The last five years (2020–2024) showed minimal fluctuation, with scores above 98 every year.
  • This performance positioned Seychelles as Africa’s most infrastructure-ready nation in 2024.
During Goodluck Jonathan's administration, Nigeria's AIDI score saw a notable increase, with a CAGR of 6.84%
  • Goodluck Jonathan's era (2010–2015) delivered the highest AIDI growth, with a CAGR of 6.84%, more than double that of his successor.
  • Muhammadu Buhari’s administration saw steady but slower growth, with a CAGR of 2.63%, increasing the score from 20.60 in 2016 to 25.70 in 2024.
  • Musa Yar’Adua’s brief tenure (2007–2010) still managed a solid CAGR of 4.26%, indicating promising momentum that was cut short.
  • Nigeria's AIDI score rose from 8.61 in 2003 to 25.70 in 2024, nearly tripling in two decades.
  • Obasanjo’s tenure saw the slowest growth, with only a 2.59% CAGR, suggesting limited infrastructure expansion in the early 2000s.
  • The fastest absolute annual increase occurred between 2010 and 2014, when scores jumped by over 2 points per year.
  • Despite steady growth, Nigeria's 2024 score of 25.70 still places it far from top performers in Africa, showing that significant infrastructure gaps remain.
Pius IX, O.F.S., held the longest pontificate since the 15th century to 2025, with 11,465 days
  • Pius IX served the longest papacy from the 15th century to 2025, with 11,465 days, over three decades.
  • John Paul II comes in second with 9,658 days, guiding the Church through some of the most politically charged eras of the 20th century.
  • Leo XIII is third, serving 9,275 days, during a time of major global industrial and philosophical shifts.
  • Only three popes have served more than 9,000 days.
  • Modern popes like Francis I and Paul VI managed to serve over 4,700 and 5,500 days, respectively, reflecting continued longevity in the modern Church.
  • The 17th and 18th centuries saw multiple popes—Urban VIII, Clement XI, and Pius VI—with pontificates exceeding 7,000 days.
Burkina Faso's infrastructure development, as indicated by the AIDI, reached its highest recorded score of 22.11 in 2024, highlighting substantial infrastructure deficits
  • Burkina Faso's AIDI score increased by over 10 points between 2003 (11.36) and 2024 (22.11).
  • The country experienced notable improvements between 2010 and 2012, with scores rising from 12.72 to 14.25.
  • The period between 2018 and 2024 showed the most consistent yearly growth, climbing from 17.51 to 22.11.
  • Between 2007 and 2008, Burkina Faso saw one of its smallest improvements, with only a 0.38-point increase.
  • The country's AIDI score crossed the 15-point mark in 2013 and has not dropped below it since then.
  • Between 2019 and 2024 alone, Burkina Faso added nearly 5 points to its score, showing accelerated development efforts.
  • Despite positive growth, the 22.11 score in 2024 still reflects major infrastructure deficits when compared to an ideal score of 100.
Africa accounts for a small fraction of popes in the history of the papacy as of 2024, with only 3
  • Italy alone accounts for 217 popes, dominating papal history more than any other region or country.
  • France, the second-most represented, has had only 16 popes, which is fewer than one-tenth of Italy's total.
  • Germany and Syria have had 6 and 5 popes respectively, reflecting early and medieval Church dynamics.
  • Africa has had just 3 popes.
  • Modern nations like Argentina, Poland, and the Netherlands have produced only 1 pope each.
  • Israel (3), Greece (4), and Turkey (2) are notable for their ancient Christian histories but limited papal presence in modern times.
Liberia, the oldest African nation, is celebrating 177 years of independence since July 26, 1847
  • Gaining independence in 1847, Liberia has been free for 177 years, long before most African nations began their fight for sovereignty.
  • With only 13 years of independence, South Sudan remains the newest nation on the continent, still navigating the challenges of nation-building.
  • The difference between Liberia and South Sudan is 164 years, showing the vast timeline over which African nations gained independence.
  • The majority of African nations secured sovereignty between the 1950s and 1970s, marking the height of the decolonisation movement.
  • Countries like Zimbabwe (1980), Namibia (1990), and Eritrea (1993) faced prolonged struggles against colonial rule.
  • Despite Liberia’s long years of independence, it has faced civil wars and economic instability, showing that the length of sovereignty doesn’t always translate to political or economic strength.
  • While sovereignty marks a historic milestone, many African nations, especially younger ones like South Sudan, continue to grapple with political, economic, and developmental challenges even decades after gaining independence.
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