By Artwell Dzobo/Natasha Nyatanga/ Tatenda Mandiopera Many of the problems that bedevil Africa right now, ranging from the political, economic and social mess are because of its feeble institutions and generally unchecked power of its political leaders. Institutional shortcomings have been generally archived by researchers and policymakers as a striking issue in Sub-Saharan Africa. The democratisation process in Africa requires leaders who assemble solid institutions which make the democratic system solid and improve regardless of the shortcomings or strength of the individual in power. The meaning of a strong institution is one that can complete its main goal unafraid of unnecessary political impact, which can push back and affirm its autonomy when politics interferes, and which can fill in as brakes on the political interests and impact that may somehow overpower. Solid institutions in a democratic government are essentially the substances that satisfies the components of democracy which are: participation of individuals straightforwardly or in a roundabout way, autonomy of the judicial institutions, separation of powers, rule of law, entrenchment of basic liberties, free and fair elections, freedom of the Press, guarantee responsibility and accountability of government authorities. This is another portrayal of professional militaries and independent arms of the government. What’s more, in this unique circumstance, the capacity to get ready for the future, with autonomous planning and financing stream, the capacity to recruit and fire employees dependent on merit instead of politics and the capacity to execute constitutional exercises subject to the objective utilisation of rule of law are altogether basic to reinforced institutions, and fortified democracy. The democratisation process in Africa has been branded as a slippery dream, considering the inclinations to relapse that some leaders have shown and different practices that invalidate the democratic standards. In African countries where strong institutions have been developed, States have tended to perform better as agents of economic development. These effects seem to hinge on the benefits of establishing institutional checks on leaders discretionary authority backed by the ability to remove governments that fail to improve the well-being of their people. States such as Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ivory Coast and Niger have displayed considerable abnormalities during elections, in this way keeping elections away from being free and fair, reinforcing a fragile political environment which is a manifestation of fragile institutions. These countries normally have governments that apply enormous repression on political rivals, have non-free legal authorities, boundless debasement, consistent suppression of the Press and a sickly law and order system, plagued by complex political divisions which have a negative effect on Africa’s democratisation. The absence of strong institutions in Africa’s democratisation has been