by MAVHUTO BANDA, AKANI CHAUKE, RUSSELL ADADEVOH & PHYLLIS BIRORI
ACCRA, (CAJ News) – AFRICA’S friendliest countries for 2026 have been officially confirmed, with Malawi emerging as the continent’s most welcoming nation, mentioned overwhelmingly more than any other country in a landmark continental survey conducted by CAJ News Africa, the continent’s largest pan-African news agency.
The three-month-long survey, conducted across 44 African countries, ranked Malawi first, followed by South Africa in second place and Rwanda in third.
The study assessed friendliness through direct community engagement, interviews, and on-the-ground observations carried out by CAJ News Africa correspondents and freelancers.
Other countries completing the top 10 include Burkina Faso, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Uganda, Ghana and Seychelles.
These nations were consistently praised for their warmth, hospitality, respect for visitors, and strong culture of social inclusion.
The top 20 list also features Botswana (11th), Eswatini, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, South Sudan, Tanzania and Mozambique, reflecting the widespread presence of kindness and hospitality across the continent.
CAJ News Africa Chief Executive Officer, Savious-Parker Kwinika, said the research process was both rigorous and highly competitive.
“This was one of the most intense surveys we have conducted,” Kwinika said. “In many cases, countries were separated by a single point. In some regions, especially Southern, East and West Africa, we recorded joint frontrunners before final tallies.”
He explained that researchers conducted face-to-face interviews in both urban and rural communities, ensuring the results reflected real-life interactions rather than desk-based assumptions.
“There is nothing more credible than capturing what is happening on the ground,” Kwinika said. “This survey avoided armchair conclusions and instead focused on lived experiences.”
Despite security challenges in conflict-affected regions, the survey revealed surprising levels of friendliness in countries often associated with instability.
However, for safety reasons, some findings from high-risk zones could not be independently verified and were therefore excluded from final rankings.
Kwinika noted that while rankings may evolve, it would be difficult to dislodge Malawi, South Africa, Rwanda and Burkina Faso, which consistently scored highest across all hospitality indicators.
Friendliness is more than a social virtue; it is a strategic national asset.
Countries known for being hospitable, tolerant and respectful enjoy stronger tourism growth, improved foreign relations, increased investment appeal, and enhanced national reputation.
Friendly societies foster social cohesion, reduce conflict, and create environments where diversity is respected and cooperation thrives.
For visitors and expatriates, welcoming communities translate into safer travel experiences, easier integration, and longer stays—directly benefiting local economies.
Tolerance and patience also strengthen democracy and stability by encouraging dialogue over division.
Respectful cultures promote dignity, trust and mutual understanding, which are essential for sustainable development.
In an increasingly globalised world, nations with compassionate and open populations are better positioned to attract talent, partnerships and international goodwill.
According to CAJ News Africa, 1,000 respondents per country were interviewed across all provinces, including local citizens, foreign residents, travel and tourism journalists, tourism authorities, and domestic and international travellers.
Key indicators included hospitality, warmth in daily interactions, kindness to strangers, respect for visitors, social inclusion, tolerance, patience, safety, stability and overall behaviour toward guests.
While acknowledging that kindness exists in every African country, Kwinika said the survey aimed to highlight those nations where friendliness is most consistently experienced.
Africa’s Top 20 Friendliest Countries for 2026
Malawi; South Africa; Rwanda; Burkina Faso; Zambia; Zimbabwe; Mauritius; Uganda; Ghana; Seychelles; Botswana; Eswatini; Namibia; Kenya; Senegal; Egypt; Morocco; South Sudan; Tanzania; Mozambique.
— CAJ News