The Afrobarometer is an independent, nonpartisan survey that measures the social, political, and economic atmosphere in Africa.The barometer collects and disseminates information regarding Africans’ views on democracy,  governance, economic reform, civil society, and quality of life. Round 1 surveys were conducted  between 1999 and 2001. At that time, the project covered seven countries in Southern Africa  (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe), three countries in West  Africa (Ghana, Nigeria and Mali) and two in East Africa (Uganda and Tanzania). Round 2 surveys  were completed by November 2003 with four new countries added: Kenya, Senegal, Cape Verde and  Mozambique. Round 3 surveys were conducted from March 2005 to February 2006 in the same  countries, plus Benin and Madagascar.  Round 4 surveys were conducted during 2008 and 2009 in 20 countries, reflecting the addition of Burkina Faso and Liberia.

Afrobarometer surveys are conducted in more than a dozen African countries and are repeated on a regular cycle. These questionnaires from round 1 to 4, have been developed over time by the Questionnaire Committee after reviewing the findings and feedback obtained in previous Rounds, and securing input on preferred new topics from a host of donors, analysts, and users of the data.  Consequently, some of the questions in round 1 may not be found in some of the other rounds. The four rounds of questionnaires have been developed over time to assess public attitudes on  management of the economy, quality of governance and democracy over time.