Keypoints:
- Half of Africans doubt courts can deliver justice
- Traditional leaders remain a key source of dispute resolution
- Legal costs continue to limit access to justice
MANY Africans remain uncertain that formal courts can provide fair, affordable and timely justice, according to new findings released by Afrobarometer, highlighting persistent concerns about access to legal remedies across the continent.
The pan-African survey, conducted across 38 countries during 2024 and 2025, found that while citizens continue to rely on police stations and local courts to resolve disputes, a significant proportion still prefer traditional leaders, elders and customary justice systems.
Survey reveals confidence gap
The findings are based on 50,961 face-to-face interviews conducted by Afrobarometer’s network of national research partners, providing one of the most comprehensive snapshots of public attitudes toward justice systems across Africa.
The report suggests that despite decades of legal reforms and investments in judicial institutions, many Africans continue to face barriers to justice, including high costs, lengthy court processes and perceptions that powerful individuals receive preferential treatment under the law.
According to the survey, 41 percent of respondents said they would first turn to the police when faced with a legal problem, while 7 percent would approach local courts. However, 26 percent said they would instead seek help from traditional leaders, traditional courts or community elders.
The findings underscore the continued coexistence of formal and informal justice mechanisms across much of Africa.
Concerns over fairness and equality
Confidence in formal courts remains limited.
Only half of respondents said they believed ordinary citizens could obtain justice through the courts. A similar proportion expressed confidence that they would receive a fair outcome if they pursued a legal case.
Even fewer respondents believed that courts could resolve disputes quickly. Just 43 percent said they expected cases to be concluded within a reasonable timeframe.
The survey also revealed widespread concern about unequal treatment before the law. Nearly six in ten respondents said people are frequently treated differently depending on their status or circumstances.
For many citizens, the perception that justice is not applied equally remains a significant challenge to confidence in legal institutions.
Powerful seen as receiving lighter treatment
The report highlights growing concerns that wealth and influence affect judicial outcomes.
Almost half of respondents said powerful individuals who break the law often receive punishments that are too lenient. By contrast, only 13 percent believed ordinary citizens benefit from similarly light treatment.
Such perceptions point to broader questions about accountability, judicial independence and public trust in state institutions.
Analysts have long argued that confidence in the rule of law depends not only on the existence of courts but also on the public belief that laws are applied fairly regardless of social or political standing.
Cost remains a major barrier
Financial obstacles continue to prevent many Africans from pursuing legal action.
Less than half of those surveyed said they believed they could afford legal representation if they needed it. Similarly, only 44 percent felt they would be able to cover court-related costs.
These findings suggest that economic barriers remain a significant factor limiting access to justice, particularly among lower-income households.
Legal aid services remain limited in many African countries, while court fees, transportation costs and lengthy proceedings can discourage citizens from seeking formal legal remedies.
Afrobarometer’s latest findings
Afrobarometer, an independent and non-partisan African research network, has monitored public opinion on governance and democracy since 1999. Its latest survey round, covering 38 countries, found persistent concerns about access to justice, equality before the law and the affordability of legal services.
The findings suggest that while formal courts remain the primary avenue for resolving disputes, many Africans continue to rely on traditional mechanisms and question whether justice is delivered fairly, affordably and without favour.
