Our Methodology

The Africa Integrity Indicators (AII) is a research project covering all 54 African countries.* It has been conducted since 2013.

Each indicator consists of three elements - a score, an explanatory comment, and sources. These components mean that a given scorecard contains a wealth of information and that users can refer to the comment as an entry point to better understand why a country has achieved a particular score on any given indicator. Scores allow for general comparisons across countries, while sources and comments offer scale and granularity.

Indicators are scored by in-country researchers following an evidence-based investigation methodology. The resultant data points are then reviewed blindly by a panel of peer reviewers, drawing on the expertise of multiple country-specific experts as well as thematic experts. AII’s methodology relies on qualitative research, based on triangulation of information. Data is gathered through a variety of sources, including legal and scholarly reviews, interviews with experts, and reviews of media stories. Scores are attributed through clearly defined criteria substantiated by qualitative comments. Sources are transparent and open to ensure validity and reliability. AFIDEP follows a strict protocol for the confidentiality of anonymous sources. 

The research period is 12 months, from September of one year until September of the next year. For our tenth and latest round published in 2022, the research period was from September 2020 to September 2021. The research is completed approximately 4-6 months after the close of the study period. An exception is the first round, published in 2013, which served as a pilot and had a period of study from June 2011 to September 2012.

The database consists of indicators that can be divided into “in-law” and “in-practice” indicators which have been consistent over the years in a way to allow comparison over time and countries. Over the years, certain indicators are no longer included, as those indicators were covered by other more theme-specific indices already available. 

Furthermore, starting with the seventh round in 2019, we have decided to solely focus on “in-practice” indicators, as we found that “in-law” indicators change little from year to year.  

In addition, we combined the scoring criteria of indicator #20 with #21. Indicator #20 will not be evaluated individually from now on, and only indicator #21 will be dedicated to providing a holistic assessment on the independence of the appointment process to the agency mandated to organize and monitor national elections.

It is worthwhile to note that as of the 2016 release, we make provisional data available over the course of April and May and invite in-country stakeholders, both from within and outside the government, to comment on the data and to provide us with feedback if they have additional factual evidence that would strengthen the research provided. 

The final data is then published in early July of each year. You can provide your feedback via this form or contact us directly about how to best submit additional data at aii@afidep.org.

You can find a more detailed explanation of the project and methodology here, and you can read AFIDEP’s policy on correcting and updating published research here.

*The pilot phase covered 50 out of the 54 African countries, excluding the Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Lesotho. Beginning with the second round research, all African countries are covered.