When considering international business destinations, Africa is often overlooked in favor of cities in Europe or Asia. Yet the continent hosts several countries and cities that are well positioned for commerce and investment.
The rankings below are based on the Ease of Doing Business metric compiled by the Doing Business project. This measure evaluates how conducive each economy is to starting and operating a business by assessing regulations, procedures and other relevant factors.
Among the five countries highlighted here, South Africa ranks lowest, at 82 out of 190 economies. Despite this placement, South Africa remains one of the continent’s largest and most diversified economies, with established financial markets and industrial capacity.
Botswana is ranked 81st. Known for political stability and comparatively low levels of corruption, Botswana has created a predictable environment for investors and businesses, contributing to steady economic progress.
Kenya follows close behind at 80. The country has been shifting toward sectors such as telecommunications and energy and has reformed some business startup procedures to lower costs and simplify requirements, making it easier to launch new enterprises.
Rwanda makes a significant jump to 41. Its fast-growing economy, improving infrastructure and focused policy reforms have helped create a safer, more business-friendly environment. Urbanization and expansion of the services sector are driving much of Rwanda’s recent economic momentum.
Mauritius ranks highest among these countries at 25. With an economy centered on tourism, financial services and diversified exports, Mauritius offers a competitive regulatory framework and an open investment climate that support ongoing growth.
Each of these countries demonstrates different strengths: established markets and infrastructure in South Africa, political stability in Botswana, sectoral innovation in Kenya, rapid reform and urban development in Rwanda, and a robust services-led model in Mauritius. For businesses evaluating expansion in Africa, these rankings provide a useful starting point for identifying favorable jurisdictions and understanding the regional landscape.