Africa has a busy election calendar in 2024, with 19 countries slated for presidential or general elections. The elections are a gamut of competitive multiparty elections to perfunctory electoral exercises. Two-thirds of these elections are packed into the last quarter of the year.
A series of elections in southern Africa, where a single party has long dominated, may see their first transition of power while others may lose their legislative majorities. This potentially reflects a healthy maturation of multipartyism while incentivizing innovation in these contexts.
Several of the Sahelian countries that suffered coups in recent years are scheduled to have elections this year as part of their agreed-upon timetable to transition back to civilian rule. When and how these elections unfold will shape the trajectory of governance in this region and the growing security threat it faces.
Roughly half of the elections are unlikely to be competitive because of heavy-handed management of the electoral process by well-entrenched incumbents. These processes raise questions for the continent of what qualifies as a genuine election—and the legitimacy that emerges from an authentic popular mandate. Many of these countries must overcome long legacies of direct or indirect military government.
These highly controlled electoral settings pose challenges for the respective Regional Economic Communities, the African Union, media, and international democratic actors that must navigate how to differentiate exercises from competitive elections and, in the process, further define electoral norms. Failure to do so will further lower the bar of expectations.
A common and enduring theme across these countries is a strong desire for citizens to have their voices heard as part of the continent’s aspiration for more responsive, public service-oriented, and democratic governance.
Here are some issues to watch in each.
Comoros Presidential January 14
Mali Presidential February 4
Senegal Presidential February 25
South Africa General May–August
Mauritania Presidential June 22
Burkina Faso Presidential July
Rwanda Presidential and Legislative July 15
Mozambique Presidential and Legislative October 9
Botswana General October
Chad Presidential and Legislative October–November
Somaliland Presidential November 13
Tunisia Presidential November 24
Mauritius General November 30
Namibia Presidential November
Ghana Presidential and LegislativeDecember 7
Algeria Presidential December
Guinea-Bissau Presidential December
Guinea Presidential and Legislative December
South Sudan Presidential and LegislativeDecember
In addition there are 4 legislative elections this year: Togo (Spring 2024), Madagascar (May), Malawi (May 24), and Somalia (November 30).