THE 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), released on Monday, shows Zimbabwe ranked 46 out of the continent's 52 countries.
This year's index reveals a diversity of competence and capability across more than 50 different governments, evaluated in areas ranging from economic and human development, to human rights, safety, and the rule of law.
Zimbabwe was given an overall score of 38 out of 100, registering a five percentage point improvement over the last five years.
At number 46, the country achieved marginally better than in 2013 when it was ranked 47 with a score of 35 out of 100.
Former Botswana president Festus Mogae said, along with Guinea and Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe was one of the continent's post-conflict countries which have "improved tremendously and in a way that's very encouraging."
Maintaining top place in the rankings from last year is the island nation of Mauritius which has posted growth rates of 5 percent annually for three decades, and of Botswana, one of few African countries to transform its mineral wealth into political stability and widespread gains for its citizens.
Cape Verde was ranked third, replacing Botswana which moved a place down into third place with South Africa fourth, up one place from 2013.
Bottom of the rankings are Eritrea, at number 50, followed by the Central African Republic and Somalia in 52nd place.
The southern Africa region dominates the top ten ranked countries, featuring Seychelles (fifth), Namibia (sixth) and Lesotho (tenth) in addition to Botswana, Mauritius and South Africa.
Of the 52 African countries ranked in the index, 41 showed progress in human development, while 39 indicated an improvement in government performance.
The Ibrahim Index of African Governance is an analysis by Mo Ibrahim Foundation aimed at improving the level of governance of African countries.
The annual index provides a framework for citizens hold governments accountable, while helping governments to focus attention on creating prosperous nations by ensuring better delivery of goods and services, and favourable policy outcomes, across every country on the continent.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established by Sudanese mobile telecoms billionaire and philanthropist, Mo Ibrahim in 2006 to chart Africa's development progress.
Ibrahim is also the face behind the Mo Ibrahim Prize, a $5 million award offered annually to a democratically elected African head of state for "excellence in office" and who has stepped down within the past three years.
The prize has only been awarded three times since 2007. Botswana's Mogae is the 2008 winner. The 2014 winner - if there is one - will be announced at the end of this year.