The Most Critical Elections in Africa in 2025

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The African continent will have some key presidential elections in 2025. Though the incumbents are largely expected to win at the polls, the era of interminable electoral terms may be coming to an end as social media empowers African.

Here is a look at the key elections that will be taking place across Africa in 2025

1. Gabon (April 12, 2025)

• Favorite: Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema (Transitional President)

  • Strong Points:

    • Led the 2023 coup that ended the 56-year Bongo dynasty, positioning himself as a reformer.

    • Pushed through a new constitution with term limits (though critics argue it was tailored for his candidacy).

    • Focused on infrastructure projects (e.g., 1,400 km of new roads) to boost employment 81.

• Challengers:

  • Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze (Former Prime Minister under Bongo): Promises economic growth and urban renewal but struggles to distance himself from the old regime.

  • Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui: Criticizes military rule and advocates for an independent electoral commission 8.

2. Cameroon (October 2025)

• Favorite: Paul Biya (Incumbent, RDPC Party)

  • Strong Points:

    • Africa’s longest-serving leader (since 1982), with entrenched control over institutions like the electoral commission and judiciary.

    • Benefits from a fragmented opposition and constitutional amendments abolishing term limits 913.

• Challenger: Maurice Kamto (Alliance politique pour le changement, APC)

  • Strong Points:

    • Leads a unified opposition coalition (30 parties) for the first time.

    • Campaigns on reducing inequality and improving healthcare/education 9.

3. Côte d’Ivoire (October 2025)

• Favorite: Alassane Ouattara (Incumbent, RHDP Party)

  • Strong Points:

    • Economic growth under his presidency, though his contested third term in 2020 sparked unrest.

    • Strong support from urban elites and business sectors 513.

• Challengers:

  • Laurent Gbagbo (Former President, acquitted by ICC): Appeals to populist and nationalist bases.

  • Simone Gbagbo (Former First Lady): Mobilizes anti-Ouattara sentiment 7.

4. Tanzania (October 2025)

• Favorite: Samia Suluhu Hassan (Incumbent, CCM Party)

  • Strong Points:

    • First female president, credited with political reforms (e.g., lifting bans on public rallies).

    • Grassroots support for CCM, Africa’s longest-ruling party (since independence) 513.

• Challenger: Freeman Mbowe (Chadema Party)

  • Strong Points:

    • Opposition leader capitalizing on internal CCM divisions but weakened by infighting 5.

5. Malawi (September 16, 2025)

• Favorite: Lazarus Chakwera (Incumbent, MCP Party)

  • Strong Points:

    • Won 2020 re-run election after court annulled fraudulent results, positioning himself as a democratic reformer.

    • Focuses on infrastructure but faces criticism over inflation and cost of living 513.

• Challenger: Peter Mutharika (DPP Party)

  • Strong Points:

    • Former president (2014–2020) leveraging dissatisfaction with Chakwera’s economic management 5.

Key Themes:

• Credibility Concerns: Half of 2025’s elections are expected to be "highly orchestrated" to favor incumbents 1.

• Regional Impact: Elections in Francophone West/Central Africa (e.g., Gabon, Cameroon) are epicenters of democratic backsliding and external influence (e.g., Russia) 19.

• Opposition Struggles: Fragmentation and repression hinder challengers in Cameroon, Togo, and Gabon 913.