A big chapter of the EPD network story is about to come to an end. Over the last 3 years, a consortium composed of Africtivistes, Gorée Institute, Code for Africa, Democracy Works Foundation, ECDPM and EPD worked together to build The Charter Project Africa and boost African citizens’ engagement in democratic governance through civic technology, used to enhance the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG). The initiatives supported benefitted from the invaluable interactions and collaboration with the African Governance Architecture (AGA), especially the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), and African CSOs’ wide talent in bringing citizens’ voices together.
Over the past three years, the Charter Project Africa and the African Union Civic Tech Fund provided 38 initiatives across 14 African countries with the tools and resources to build or scale up their civic technology solutions for citizens to engage on matters of democratic governance in their countries or communities. These innovative tools promoted democracy, good governance, and accountability, ranging from tools tracking the implementation of political parties’ manifestos promises, to others allowing citizens to comment on legislative bills.
By enabling these connections among a variety of actors across the continent, the project contributed to establishing an inspiring community of practice leveraging civic technology and citizens’ participation by constantly learning from each other. Through meaningful dialogues and partnerships built with key continental organs such as the AU-ECOSOCC, the AGA Secretariat, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), the community was able to share experiences and engage in relevant institutional fora, to build the foundations for its future. We hope that the AU-ECOSOCC will establish a thematic cluster on digital democracy to sustain this community of practice, as recommended by the Charter Project Africa at the ECOSOCC Citizens Forum 2024 hosted in Accra, Ghana.
The success of the Charter Project Africa is most powerfully illustrated through the stories of its community of practice—initiatives that harness the transformative potential of civic technology to enhance democratic engagement, governance and accountability and that received support from the project. These initiatives have significantly increased citizen participation and fostered a culture of transparency and responsiveness in governance across Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa. Moreover, they showcase a rich diversity of innovative approaches that capture the imagination and keep the audience engaged.
Inspiring people’s power to bring change in Southern Africa
In Zimbabwe, the SIVIO Institute, developed the “African Citizens Watch” platform, which tracks African governments’ performance and effectiveness based on pledges made in their manifestos in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. This digital platform leverages technology to track in real-time the conversion of electoral promises into policy actions and public service, enabling civil society organisations, journalists, and citizens to monitor and analyse government performance. By providing access to reliable data, the SIVIO Institute empowers communities to hold their leaders accountable, fostering a culture of open governance and civic responsibility. Similarly, in Zambia, the Zambian Governance Foundation for Civil Society (ZGF) is dedicated to enhancing democratic governance and citizen participation by bridging the gap between local authorities and rural communities. Through their digital tool, “Loop“, ZGF provides a platform for rural youth to voice their concerns, share their views on governance issues, and engage in meaningful dialogue with local authorities based on youth feedback. This initiative amplifies young people’s voices in remote areas and fosters a culture of accountability and transparency, as local authorities are directly influenced by community feedback on the platform. ZGF’s work demonstrates a commitment to empowering citizens to participate actively in governance, ensuring that even the most marginalised communities have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Bringing citizens to the decision-making table in Eastern Africa
In Eastern Africa, African Child Projects is spearheading efforts to foster a democratic culture among youth in Tanzania through innovative digital platforms. Their initiative, “Ongea na Demokrasia” (Speak with Democracy), focuses on educating and engaging young people about the importance of democratic governance and active civic participation. By leveraging digital tools like the SEMA Tanzania app, African Child Projects provides a space for young citizens to express their views, interact with policymakers, and participate in public discourse. This initiative aims to build an informed and active youth demographic that can contribute meaningfully to Tanzania’s democratic processes, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their rights and hold their leaders accountable. Meanwhile, Mzalendo Trust is pioneering civic engagement in Kenya with its innovative platform, “Dokeza.” This digital tool lets citizens participate directly in lawmaking by commenting on and annotating draft legislative bills online. By providing a transparent and accessible space for public input, Dokeza fosters a more inclusive policy-making environment where diverse voices can be heard and considered in national decision-making. Mzalendo Trust’s initiative has significantly enhanced public participation in Kenya’s legislative process, promoting greater accountability and responsiveness from elected officials. Through Dokeza, Mzalendo Trust empowers citizens to shape the laws that govern them, reinforcing the democratic values of openness and public involvement in governance.
Supporting a new generation of informed citizens in Western Africa
In Western Africa, the Centre for Civic Citizens Welfare and Community Development Africa in Nigeria is enhancing electoral transparency and citizen participation through its civic tech platform, ZABE. This tool allows citizens to monitor and report electoral violations, contributing to fair, free, and inclusive elections. By educating over 5 million Nigerians on good governance and democracy, ZABE fosters a culture of accountability and transparency, empowering citizens to engage actively in the political process and hold their leaders to account. In Benin, Vert-Monde is dedicated to enhancing youth political and civic participation in Benin through its innovative digital platform, “Paillote Civique” This platform serves as an interactive space where young people can access resources on democracy, share their views on current policies, and organise petitions to influence decision-making processes. By empowering youth to engage actively in civic matters, Vert-Monde fosters a new generation of informed and proactive citizens ready to contribute to democratic governance in Benin. The platform helps bridge the gap between young people and political institutions, ensuring that their voices are heard and that they play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future.
Research
The Charter Project Africa has conducted critical research to support civil society in identifying entry points for advocacy directed towards the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), their responsibilities in relation to democratic governance in the different regions and opportunities for the use of civic technology. The key studies include an examination of engagement avenues with the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). These and other resources are available on the Charter Africa platform, which CSOs can consult if willing to engage more in advocacy with regional institutions on the continent.
The way ahead
As the Charter Project Africa celebrates the success of pan-African civil society collaboration, it reflects on valuable lessons learned about integrating Africa’s democratic frameworks and shared values in today’s digital realities. The project’s success in promoting digital democracy across the continent demonstrates the immense potential for continued growth and collaboration and inspires a sense of optimism about the future. A future where platforms like these are integral to governance and allow citizens to engage in democratic governance regardless of presence.
If there is one lesson we have taken from this journey, it is that Africa’s frameworks for democratic governance must evolve to meet today’s digital and technological realities. This understanding has driven our policy engagements and advocacy efforts throughout the project. The Charter Project Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to amplifying citizens’ voices through civic technology, ensuring digital democracy becomes a powerful force in shaping Africa’s political landscape.We invite you to explore the Charter Project Africa’s platform and the full Charter Project Africa booklet to learn more about the innovative work being done to support democratic governance. Together, we can forge a future where citizen engagement is at the heart of a thriving digital democracy in Africa.
