Egypt has emerged as Africa’s sole representative in Gallup’s 2026 ranking of the countries Americans view most favourably, while South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya were left out of the 21-nation list.
- Major African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya were not included in the survey despite strong ties with the US, and Gallup provided no explanation for their exclusion.
- Egypt was the only African nation included in Gallup’s 2026 survey of American views on foreign countries, ranking 11th with a 59% favorable rating.
- Japan and Italy topped the rankings as the most favorably viewed nations, while North Korea, Iran, Russia, and Iraq were rated the lowest.
- The survey highlighted declining American sentiments toward traditional allies such as Canada and Great Britain, especially among Republican respondents.
The North African country received a 59% favourable rating, placing it 11th among the 21 countries assessed in Gallup’s annual World Affairs poll and among those viewed positively by most Americans.
The result was supported in part by favourable views among Republicans, whose foreign-policy positions largely align with President Donald Trump’s administration.
However, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest consumer markets, was not included.
Similarly, South Africa, one of the continent’s most industrialised economies, and Kenya, a major commercial and diplomatic centre in East Africa, were absent.
Poll conducted amid geopolitical tensions
Gallup, a privately held, employee-owned analytics and advisory company based in Washington, DC, surveyed 1,001 US adults from February 2 to 16.
The newly released results showed that respondents rated countries ranging from longstanding US allies to major geopolitical rivals.
Overall, the poll captured American perceptions during a period marked by trade disputes, diplomatic tensions and shifting international alliances.
According to Gallup, the survey followed the January 3 removal of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power by the US and the World Economic Forum held in Davos from January 19 to 23.
However, it preceded the February 28 US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
At the same time, the poll took place amid strained relations between Washington and Pretoria.
The two governments have disagreed over South Africa’s land policies, its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the Trump administration’s decision to admit white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, as refugees.
Similarly, US relations with Nigeria have faced tensions over religious violence, security cooperation and sovereignty.
Kenya’s relationship with Washington came under scrutiny over a five-year health cooperation agreement signed in December 2025.
Although the Kenyan government approved the agreement, the High Court later suspended its implementation following concerns over health-data privacy, public participation, parliamentary oversight and Kenya’s financial commitments.
Despite these disputes, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa maintain broad diplomatic, economic and security ties with the United States.
Japan and Italy lead rankings
Japan topped the 2026 rankings with an 85% favourable rating, narrowly ahead of Italy at 84%.
Canada and Denmark followed at 80%, while France and Great Britain each recorded 76%. Germany placed just behind them with a 75% favourable rating.
Further down the list, Mexico received 66%, ahead of Ukraine at 63%, India at 61% and Egypt at 59%.
At the bottom of the rankings, North Korea and Iran each recorded favourable ratings of 13%. Russia followed at 17%, while Iraq received 21%.
Gallup said Japan and Italy posted the highest country ratings measured in 2026, displacing countries that had traditionally occupied the leading positions.
Egypt retains strategic importance
Egypt has maintained close diplomatic and security ties with Washington for decades and remains a key player in Middle Eastern diplomacy, particularly in efforts to mediate regional conflicts.
Its control of the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, also gives the country strategic importance in global trade and security.
Against this backdrop, Egypt’s 59% favourable rating showed that most Americans surveyed continued to view the country positively.
Views of traditional allies decline
American views of Canada and Great Britain weakened, although both countries remained broadly popular. Canada’s favourable rating fell nine percentage points to 80%, while Great Britain’s dropped eight points to 76%, marking record lows for both countries.
Republican respondents drove much of the decline, with Canada’s rating falling from 85% to 62% and Great Britain’s from 84% to 64%, amid disputes over trade, tariffs, NATO, Greenland and President Donald Trump’s remarks about making Canada the 51st US state.
China’s rating improves
Meanwhile, China’s favourable rating rose to 34%, more than double its record low of 15% in 2023.
Gallup said the improvement was driven by more positive views among Democrats and political independents, while Republicans remained less favourable.
Business Insider Africa
