The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer has revealed a staggering lack of trust in African governments, with Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa ranking among the countries with the highest levels of distrust. The report highlights a deep-seated sense of grievance among citizens, who feel that institutions serve only the wealthy while leaving ordinary people behind.

According to the report, only 44% of Nigerians trust their government, citing years of corruption scandals, poor public services, and unfulfilled promises as major contributors to the erosion of confidence. The country's economic struggles and insecurity have further fueled public skepticism, with many citizens feeling disconnected from leadership and believing that politicians prioritize personal gain over national progress.

In Kenya, the trust score stands at 38%, with corruption remaining a persistent issue that has shaken public confidence. Many Kenyans feel that their leaders serve political elites rather than ordinary citizens, and the Finance Bill protests of last year further deepened distrust. The proposed tax increases were seen as a burden on ordinary people while benefiting the political class, leading to widespread outrage.

South Africans exhibit declining trust in government, with a score of 36%. Corruption, economic instability, and governance failures have fueled public resentment, with many citizens feeling that their leaders fail to address inequality and crime. The issues of high unemployment, power shortages, and mismanagement have contributed to increasing disillusionment with political institutions and democracy.

The Edelman Trust Barometer identifies four major factors driving this sense of grievance: fear of the future, the growing divide between the rich and everyone else, the crisis of leadership, and the information crisis. Only 36% of people believe the next generation will be better off than they are, signaling a loss of hope and making it harder for individuals to trust that institutions are working in their best interest.

The report also highlights the growing divide between the rich and everyone else, with wealthier people tend to have more confidence in institutions (61% trust rate) compared to just 48% among lower-income groups. The crisis of leadership is evident in the record-low levels of trust in politicians, business leaders, and journalists, with 69% of people believing these figures deliberately mislead the public.

The information crisis has made trust even harder to maintain, with 63% of people saying it's becoming more difficult to tell real news from misinformation. This has led to a dangerous cycle of distrust, making it even more challenging to rebuild faith in leadership, policy, and progress.

The implications of this widespread distrust are far-reaching, with potential consequences for economic growth, social cohesion, and political stability. As African countries struggle to rebuild trust, it is essential to address the underlying factors driving this sense of grievance and work towards creating more inclusive, transparent, and accountable institutions.

In conclusion, the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer paints a stark picture of the state of trust in African governments. As the continent grapples with the challenges of corruption, inequality, and leadership crises, it is crucial to acknowledge the depth of this distrust and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.