South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya absent as Egypt makes list of countries Americans like most

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.

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 received the highest favourable rating at 85%, followed by Italy at 84%.

Canada and Denmark tied at 80%, while France and Great Britain each received 76%. Germany followed at 75%.

Mexico recorded a favourable rating of 66%, ahead of Ukraine at 63%, India at 61% and Egypt at 59%.

At the bottom of the rankings, North Korea and Iran each received favourable ratings of 13%. Russia recorded 17%, while Iraq received 21%.

Gallup said Japan and Italy recorded the “highest country ratings measured” in 2026, replacing countries that had traditionally occupied the top positions.

Egypt has longstanding diplomatic ties with Washington and plays a central role in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Its position along the Suez Canal also gives it strategic importance in global trade and security.

The country’s 59% rating showed that most Americans surveyed continued to hold a favourable view of it.

The poll recorded weaker American sentiment towards Canada and Great Britain, although both remained broadly popular.

Canada’s favourable rating fell nine percentage points from 2025 to 80%, while Great Britain’s declined eight points to 76%.

Gallup said both were the lowest ratings it had recorded for the two countries.

The declines followed disagreements over trade, tariffs, NATO, Greenland and President Donald Trump’s remarks about making Canada the 51st US state.

Republican respondents accounted for much of the change.

Canada’s favourable rating among Republicans fell from 85% in 2025 to 62%, while Great Britain’s dropped from 84% to 64%.

China’s favourable rating rose to 34%, more than double its record low of 15% in 2023.

Gallup said views of China improved among Democrats and political independents, although Republicans remained less positive.