If you’re planning to travel, relocate, invest, or retire in Africa, one question naturally comes up:
Which is the safest and cleanest country in Africa?
Based on the latest global rankings, crime statistics, governance indicators, and environmental performance data, Mauritius consistently ranks as the safest country in Africa overall, while Rwanda stands out as Africa’s cleanest nation, especially in urban sanitation.
But the full picture requires more than opinions — it requires credible data.
This analysis is based on:
- The Global Peace Index (2023) published by Institute for Economics & Peace
- The Environmental Performance Index (2022/2024 updates) from Yale University
- Governance data from the World Bank
- Corruption data from Transparency International
How Safety and Cleanliness Are Measured
Before naming any country “the safest” or “the cleanest,” it’s important to understand how those terms are defined.
Safety Metrics
Safety rankings are typically based on:
- Violent and non-violent crime rates
- Political stability
- Terrorism impact
- Internal conflict levels
- Militarization
The most widely recognized global benchmark is the Global Peace Index (GPI).
The GPI evaluates 163 countries using 23 indicators under three domains:
- Societal safety and security
- Ongoing domestic and international conflict
- Militarization
Cleanliness & Environmental Metrics
Cleanliness is assessed using:
- Air quality (PM2.5 levels)
- Waste management systems
- Water sanitation access
- Environmental regulations
- Urban planning
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks countries based on 40 performance indicators across environmental health and ecosystem vitality.
🇲🇺 Mauritius: Africa’s Safest Country (Overall Leader)
According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, Mauritius ranks:
- 1st in Sub-Saharan Africa
- 22nd globally (out of 163 countries)
This makes Mauritius the most peaceful African country.
Why Mauritius Ranks So Highly
Data-backed strengths include:
- Low homicide rate relative to regional averages
- Stable multiparty democracy since 1968
- Strong rule of law
- Low terrorism impact
- High institutional effectiveness
According to the World Bank Governance Indicators, Mauritius scores significantly above the Sub-Saharan African average in:
- Political stability
- Regulatory quality
- Government effectiveness
Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index also ranks Mauritius among Africa’s least corrupt countries.
Cleanliness in Mauritius
Mauritius performs strongly in:
- Coastal management
- Waste collection infrastructure
- Environmental protection policies
- Tourism-focused urban sanitation
As a visitor to Mauritius, one noticeable difference compared to many regional capitals is the maintenance of public spaces and organized waste systems in both Port Louis and major coastal towns.
Environmental protection is not only regulatory but economically necessary — tourism contributes nearly 20% of GDP.
🇷🇼 Rwanda: Africa’s Cleanest Country
While Mauritius leads in safety, Rwanda is widely recognized as Africa’s cleanest country.
The capital city, Kigali, is often cited in global urban development discussions as one of Africa’s cleanest cities.
Why Rwanda Leads in Cleanliness
Rwanda has implemented:
- A nationwide plastic bag ban (since 2008)
- Mandatory monthly community cleaning (Umuganda)
- Strict anti-littering enforcement
- Centralized urban sanitation systems
The Environmental Performance Index shows Rwanda performing strongly in:
- Environmental health metrics
- Air pollution management (relative to regional averages)
- Waste policy enforcement
During visits to Kigali, many travelers observe clean roads, organized construction planning, and visible civic participation in environmental maintenance.
Safety in Rwanda
According to the 2023 Global Peace Index:
- Rwanda ranks among the top 10 most peaceful countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Contributing factors:
- Low levels of street crime
- High police visibility
- Strong centralized governance
- Minimal terrorism impact in recent years
However, political freedom metrics vary depending on the evaluating institution — which is important for a balanced view.
🇧🇼 Botswana: Stability and Low Conflict
Botswana consistently ranks among Africa’s most stable democracies.
Global indicators show:
- Longest uninterrupted multiparty democracy in Africa (since 1966)
- Strong property rights
- Relatively low violent conflict
- Stable political transitions
Botswana performs well in governance rankings from the World Bank.
While its urban cleanliness may not receive as much global media attention as Rwanda’s, Botswana excels in environmental conservation, protecting nearly 40% of its land for wildlife preservation.
Data Comparison (2023–2024 Indicators)
| Country | GPI Rank (Global) | GPI Rank (Africa) | Governance Strength | Environmental Strength | Overall Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | 22 | 1 | High | Strong | Safest Overall |
| Rwanda | Top 10 Africa | Top Tier | Moderate–High | Very Strong Urban Cleanliness | Cleanest |
| Botswana | Top 15 Africa | Strong | Very High Stability | Strong Conservation | Most Stable Democracy |
(Data sources: Global Peace Index 2023; World Bank Governance Indicators; Environmental Performance Index)
Important Context: Safety and Cleanliness Can Vary Internally
Even in top-ranked countries:
- Crime can vary by neighborhood
- Cleanliness may differ between cities and rural areas
- Rankings change annually
- Political freedoms are assessed separately from street-level safety
Travel advisories from your home government should always be reviewed before relocation.
Why This Matters for Investors, Families, and Travelers
High safety and cleanliness correlate strongly with:
- Lower public health risk
- Stronger economic growth
- Higher foreign investment
- Tourism stability
- Quality of life outcomes
Countries that maintain strong institutions and environmental discipline tend to show more long-term resilience.
Final Verdict (2024 Update)
Safest Country in Africa: 🇲🇺 Mauritius
Cleanest Country in Africa: 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Most Politically Stable Long-Term Democracy: 🇧🇼 Botswana
If you are prioritizing overall safety, governance, and quality of life — Mauritius ranks highest.
If urban cleanliness and environmental discipline are your primary concern — Rwanda leads.
If long-term democratic stability matters most — Botswana stands out.
Sources & Data References
- Global Peace Index 2023 – Institute for Economics & Peace
- Environmental Performance Index – Yale University
- World Governance Indicators – World Bank
- Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 – Transparency International
