12 African Elections to Watch in 2026

By Peter Agbesi Adivor

Africa’s 2026 elections will unfold against the backdrop of a complex but instructive 2025 electoral year. Several 2025 contests revealed persistent concerns around political inclusion, institutional independence, and civic space on the African continent, highlighted by electoral outcomes in Tanzania, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.

These dynamics underscore recurring structural pressures on electoral integrity across parts of the continent. At the same time, countries with more established electoral systems demonstrated relative stability, reaffirming that Africa’s democratic landscape remains uneven but dynamic.

This context helps frame expectations for 2026: a year featuring 10 significant general and presidential elections, each shaped by distinct constitutional, political, and security issues.

Uganda – General Election (15 January 2026)

Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986 and seeks yet another term. Reports of opposition arrests, campaign interference, and limitations on assembly continue to shape perceptions of the political environment in Uganda.

Opposition fragmentation, limited political space, and a security force that is loyal to the establishment suggest risks for credible, competitive outcomes.

Electoral competitiveness is expected to remain constrained, with attention centered on the independence of the Electoral Commission, the conduct of security agencies, and space for opposition mobilization.

Benin – Presidential Election (12 April 2026)

Benin was once regarded as a regional democratic model, but the past few cycles have raised concerns over political inclusion, especially in relation to opposition access and restrictive electoral reforms.

Benin’s elections will occur under a constitutional framework that prohibits term amendments beyond two terms for presidents, and President Patrice Talon has signaled he will not seek a third term.

However, recent legal actions, including the barring of major opposition parties from contesting, highlight central concerns about electoral inclusion and political pluralism leading into 2026. The election also comes against a backdrop of an attempted coup in December 2025 which was foiled with help from ECOWAS regional powers.

A scheduled parliamentary election in January will set the tone for the presidential contest in April. The credibility of that process and the independence of the electoral commission will be key in determining the degree of competition and legitimacy of the April presidential race.

Ethiopia – General Election (1 June 2026)

Ethiopia’s elections will be the first general elections since ongoing political reforms and shifts in the federal system under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The country’s political context remains shaped by post-conflict recovery efforts, regional tensions, and debates over federal governance. Electoral readiness varies significantly across regions.

Ethiopia’s incumbent Prosperity Party and the parties it succeeded have consistently won general elections overwhelmingly since 1995 through political repression, rigging and other exclusionary tactics.

Credibility concerns, particularly in conflict-affected regions with diverse ethnic federal units will pose a challenge to the conduct of the election. The degree to which elections are inclusive of all regions and opposition stakeholders will be a critical measure of democratic progress or regression in Ethiopia.

Zambia – General Election (13 August 2026)

Zambia is viewed as one of the region’s more competitive democracies. The 2026 contest will test the incumbency of President Hakainde Hichilema amid economic pressures and evolving political alliances.

Zambia’s electoral integrity is comparatively robust, but economic performance and governance issues will be decisive for voter behavior.

In a move that critics argue is intended to bolster his electoral fortunes ahead of the election according to critics, President Hichilema has bolted into action, signing a new law expanding parliamentary seats from 167 to 280 with seat allocations for women, youth and PWD candidates.

Despite a fragmented opposition and incumbency advantage, Hichilema’s prospects for a second term will be contingent on public perceptions of economic governance, youth employment, and service delivery.

The Gambia – Presidential Election (5 December 2026)

The Gambia will hold its presidential election with incumbent Adama Barrow running for what would be a third term. This election will test institutional stability, especially given The Gambia’s democratic consolidation since the 2016 political transition.

Barrow rose to power in 2017 after beating Yahya Jammeh who refused to hand over power before fleeing the country under pressure. Although permitted by the country’s constitution, many people did not expect Barrow to run for a third term considering the history behind how he assumed power.

However, Barrow remains the favorite in this election as the opposition led by Ousainou Darboe struggles to put forward a formidable opposition to challenge Barrow’s candidacy.

South Sudan – General Election (22 December 2026)

South Sudan’s election is historically significant as the first national electoral exercise since independence. It has been repeatedly delayed due to civil conflict, governance weaknesses, and peace process requirements.

The management of the election itself faces many structural hurdles including uncertainty over constituencies and delays in conducting a national census which would allow the National Elections Commission to properly plan the vote. In December 2025, the Commission resolved to use a 2010 constituency set-up which predates the country’s independence to conduct the election as permitted by the election’s legal framework.

As the country’s leadership puts the pieces together towards making the long-delayed election a reality, credibility of voter registration, civic freedoms, and the political accommodation of all signatory parties will determine whether the process supports stability or further inflames tensions in the volatile East African state.

Congo – Presidential Election (March 22, 2026)

The Republic of the Congo heads into its 2026 presidential election under a long-standing pattern of political continuity dominated by President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who has governed for over four decades across two periods. His nomination by the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) for another term reinforces the entrenched incumbency framework, supported by broad institutional control and a co-governing parliamentary majority.

Despite this dominance, the opposition landscape has shown signs of increased coordination. In 2025, 17 opposition groupings endorsed a joint manifesto calling for democratic alternation, leading to the emergence of broader platforms such as the Alliance for Democratic Alternation in 2026.

However, these efforts face significant challenges, including limited resources against a well-resourced incumbent, restricted civic space, and risks highlighted by incidents such as the kidnapping of opposition figure Lassy Mbouity, which raised concerns over political safety and intimidation.

While opposition figures like Destin Gavet and others have begun to position themselves, no single challenger has yet consolidated national momentum sufficient to rival incumbent Nguesso leaving the establishment all set to potentially continue its reign.

Djibouti – Presidential Election (April 2026, Unconfirmed)

Djibouti maintains a centralized political system with limited opposition competition. Past elections have been peaceful but tightly controlled. Continuity of the regime is expected as the country adopted constitutional revisions which removed age limits paving the way for President Ismail Omar Guelleh who has been in power since 1999 to seek a sixth term in 2026.

Guelleh’s party currently holds majority in Djibouti’s parliament and won the last elections with 97% of the votes. If successful at this year's polls, the People’s Rally for Progress (RPP) leader will join the likes of Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Cote D’ivoire’s Alassane Outtara as one of the oldest African leaders still holding onto power by systemically bending the rules to remain in office.

Libya – General Elections (April 2026, Unconfirmed)

Libya’s elections continue to depend heavily on security conditions, political dialogue outcomes, and the ability of institutions to reach consensus on the legal framework.

Stemming from the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s political leadership has been heavily divided with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli in the northwest and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Benghazi in the east. This division and the struggle for control by rival factions have made it difficult to conduct elections.

The Libyan High National Elections Commission (HNEC) announced in December that it has started preparations for holding presidential and parliamentary elections in mid-April 2026. The commission said it has begun preparing and publishing the regulatory frameworks for the elections of the head of state and the parliament and is drafting the regulations governing nominations for prospective candidates.

HNEC has also urged the UN Support Mission in Libya to accelerate efforts to resolve disputes surrounding amendments to electoral laws proposed by the “6+6 Committee” that is composed of six members of the House of Representatives and six members of the High Council of State charged with developing the legislative framework for the elections.

Uncertainty remains high as the feasibility of holding credible elections hinges on stabilizing the political process between rival administrations and ensuring a unified electoral framework in the volatile North African country.

Morocco – General Elections (September 2026, Unconfirmed)

Morocco is preparing for its legislative elections scheduled for September 2026. Political consultations between the government and parties were initiated in 2025 under royal directives from King Mohammed VI to establish a stable legal framework for the election, reflecting the monarchy’s guiding role in Morocco’s hybrid political system.

The electoral cycle will determine the composition of the House of Representatives, directly shaping the next government and premiership under Morocco’s constitutional monarchy.

The current political context is defined by a multiparty landscape where the ruling coalition, led by the National Rally of Independents (RNI) under Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, faces growing pressures for reform and renewal.

In response to public demand for greater political inclusion, authorities have enacted electoral reforms aiming to enhance participation, particularly for youth and women candidates and to modernise party structures and financing ahead of the 2026 vote.

Key expectations for the 2026 elections include intensified competition among established parties such as the RNI, Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), Istiqlal, Justice and Development Party (PJD), and others vying for parliamentary influence. Analysts caution that political tensions may rise as coalition negotiations and local council disputes unfold, with potential implications for legislative stability and governance cohesion after the vote.

Persistent challenges such as voter apathy, debates over diaspora participation, and calls to expand political rights are shaping public discourse and could influence turnout and campaign strategies.

Ultimately, the 2026 elections will be a critical test of Morocco’s evolving electoral institutions and the broader trajectory of political inclusion and democratic practice within the kingdom.

Sao Tome and Principe - Presidential (Unconfirmed)

São Tomé and Príncipe is scheduled to hold its presidential election in 2026 as part of the country’s general election cycle. This year’s election will renew both the executive and legislative branches in the small Gulf of Guinea island state, which has a history of competitive multiparty politics and peaceful transfers of power relative to the region.

The president serves as head of state for a five-year term, and the unicameral National Assembly’s 55 seats are elected every four years by proportional representation.

São Tomé and Príncipe is widely viewed as one of Central Africa’s more stable multiparty democracies, with a functioning semi-presidential system that has enabled peaceful elections and alternations of power since the early 1990s. Its constitution limits the president to two consecutive five-year terms, and mechanisms for executive-legislative balance have helped sustain competitive politics.

However, political institutions remain fragile, and governance performance is often hampered by internal disagreements among elites. The dissolution of the government in January 2025 by President Carlos Vila Nova, who dismissed Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada over governance concerns, illustrates this fragility within the ruling party and broader political class - a factor that may carry into electoral competitiveness in 2026.

Economic conditions are a significant backdrop to the 2026 elections. São Tomé and Príncipe faces macroeconomic vulnerabilities, including a narrow export base, reliance on imports and external assistance, low reserves, and structural challenges typical of small island developing states. Continued emphasis on inclusive economic growth - particularly for youth and vulnerable groups is a key political issue that parties are expected to address during the campaign.

These contextual factors suggest that the 2026 elections will not only test electoral competitiveness but also the broader capacities of the São Toméan state to address economic discontent, implement reforms, and sustain democratic consolidation.

Cape Verde - Presidential (October Unconfirmed)

Cape Verde is scheduled to hold its presidential election in October 2026. The president is elected for a five-year term using a two-round system.

The current president, José Maria Neves (African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde, PAICV), won the 2021 presidential poll in the first round with over 51% of the vote, marking the first PAICV presidential victory since 2006. His tenure has been set within a cohabitation political arrangement, where the PAICV presidency coexists with a legislative majority held by the Movement for Democracy (MpD) led by Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva.

The December 2024 municipal elections saw the PAICV achieve strong gains at the local level, suggesting shifts in political momentum that may influence voter behaviour and campaign strategies ahead of the national polls.

The 2026 presidential contest will therefore be shaped by established party competition between the PAICV and the MpD, governance achievements and frustrations since 2021, and voters’ assessment of leadership.

Conclusion

The 2026 African electoral cycle will be significant for the democratic trajectory of the continent. Building on the mixed outcomes of the 2025 elections, from credible contests to disputed processes, the electoral landscape of 2026 is poised to test the resilience of electoral institutions, political inclusiveness, and democratic norms.

The quality and legitimacy of elections in Uganda, Benin, Ethiopia, Zambia, Congo, The Gambia, and South Sudan, as well as the feasibility and inclusiveness of processes in Djibouti, Libya, and Morocco, will not only redefine national governance outcomes but also influence regional democratic expectations.

For election assistance programs, international observers, and civil society stakeholders, investment in electoral integrity, political freedoms, and dispute resolution mechanisms will be decisive for credible, peaceful and competitive elections in 2026.