Violent conflict and the collapse of democratic government in Sudan, Ethiopia, and across the Sahel; difficult elections in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the consolidation of authoritarian regimes such as Angola, Uganda, Cameroon and Zimbabwe; and corruption and poor governance persist throughout the region. Yet citizens, activists, and political, business, and labor leaders are fighting for democracy by documenting human rights abuses and countering authoritarian narratives, inspiring youth civic participation through music and the arts, mobilizing voters and monitoring elections, campaigning against restrictive laws, exposing corruption, and demanding government accountability. In Africa, the NED program supports courageous civil society and independent media groups, free elections, rights for all people, and reforms for a better future across the continent in some of the world’s most restrictive places.

By the Numbers

Regional Focus Areas

STRENGTHENING GOOD GOVERNANCE

Despite various challenges, countries in West Africa are making modest gains in democratic governance and accountability. Following flawed elections, Nigerian partners are working to address the country’s governance problems while cultivating the next generation of democratic leadership. Liberia achieved a democratic transition of power in 2023, and Sierra Leone, Ghana, Senegal and the Gambia kept their democratic credentials despite concerns. Across West Africa, NED supports efforts to advance independent media and access to information, mobilize citizens to participate in civic life, democratic institution building, and access to justice.

BUILDING ON OPPORTUNITIES

Kenya has made steady democratic progress and remains a hub for NED programs in East Africa, including important work to advance budget accountability and legislative monitoring. Tanzania’s new government signaled readiness to reform, but progress has been slow. Political transitions in Zambia and Malawi also brought hope, but economic challenges and stubborn corruption stymied democratic progress. In these countries, NED’s partners remain steadfast in their commitment to consolidate democratic advances, fight corruption, and make democracy deliver.

CONFRONTING DEMOCRATIC COLLAPSE

Sudan’s nascent democracy failed amid a power struggle between two military leaders. Millions of Sudanese have fled their homes, thousands have been killed, and millions more may soon die of starvation. NED continues to support Sudanese democrats both in exile and in the country to end the war, document human rights abuses, provide reliable media, and restore hope for democracy. Ethiopia’s once promising transition to democracy has also failed.  As many as 600,000 citizens have been killed in the brutal conflict in Tigray, democratic institutions have been hobbled, and the country’s ethnic divisions are worse than ever. NED efforts in Ethiopia focus on rebuilding an independent press and civil society, as well as promoting social cohesion.

RESTORING DEMOCRACY IN THE SAHEL

The overthrow of the democratically elected governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—justified by the coup leaders as a response to insecurity—has instead led to gains by the jihadists and more attacks on civilians by all parties. NED’s programs in the Sahel support civil society to press for elections and a return to civilian rule, counter disinformation from Russia, junta leaders, and jihadists, and promote human rights.

ADVANCING DEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AFRICA

Following flawed national elections in late 2023, DRC’s politics remain dysfunctional. The country’s weak democratic institutions are threatened by corruption and conflict in the east, hindering the development of its economy and fueling competition for its vast reserves of critical minerals. NED supports civil society efforts to fight corruption and curtail human rights abuses. Elsewhere in the Central Africa region—the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Burundi, and Gabon—NED helps expand political freedom in some of the world’s most authoritarian states. Partners are working to monitor human rights, combat kleptocracy, and raise citizen awareness about democracy.

RESISTING DEMOCRATIC DECLINE

Zimbabwe remains NED’s focus in Southern Africa, where President Mnangagwa is intensifying the suppression of political opposition, civil society, and independent media. Against all odds, Zimbabwe’s democratic activists persist in their demands for reform. NED supports its partners to push back against repressive legislation, government propaganda, and kleptocratic governance. Similarly, the hope for a democratic opening in Angola receded as the government cracked down on the opposition, civil society, and the independent press. NED has expanded its support to Angolan democrats resisting the new repression, including campaigning against anti-NGO legislation. 

Country Highlights

Nigeria

Since the restoration of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has held seven national elections that have become increasingly competitive, including those held in January 2023. Presidents have respected term limits, and incumbents who lost re-election have peacefully conceded. Television, radio, newspapers, and online media express diverse and critical perspectives. Budget transparency and respect for human rights have also improved. Despite this progress, immense democratic challenges remain. Elections are marred by violence and irregularities. Endemic corruption, poor public service delivery, and economic challenges undermine the state’s legitimacy. Vast portions of the country are insecure, with terrorists, bandits, and secessionists challenging government authority. Civil society activists can face harassment and intimidation when they criticize democratic and governance deficiencies.

In this context, NED seeks to foster an environment of sustained and informed civic activism where public demand for democratic reform leads to government responsiveness. NED supports partners to advance electoral integrity, foster robust political party development, and promote public debate on government performance through an independent media. Other initiatives mobilize citizens to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic progress and encourage individuals and organizations to express themselves freely. Through these collective efforts, Nigerians are better able to demand that their government live up to its democratic promise.

Grantee Spotlight

Despite initial optimism fueled by electoral reforms and the emergence of new political parties, the 2023 general elections fell short of public expectations, especially those of the youngest voters. With NED support, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) launched an initiative to solicit the input of youth from across the country in electoral reform. In collaboration with six civil society partners, NDI identified electoral priorities through youth-focused stakeholder forums in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones and fed these into national electoral reform conversations.

The Institute and its partners engaged with over 200 electoral stakeholders from civil society, cultural and religious institutions, trade unions, political parties, and government to advocate for the electoral reform priorities of young people. This outreach included engagement with 40 legislators from the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As a result of this work, the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters invited Kimpact Development Initiative, NDI’s national coordinating partner, to serve as one of its three civil society technical advisors. Electoral reform conversations are ongoing. By supporting organizations that focus on youth, NDI amplified their voices and encouraged broader inclusion in shaping the future of elections. In addition, NDI and its partners educated young people about their voting rights, the electoral process, and the importance of their participation in subnational elections.

Ethiopia

Three years after the election of Abiy Ahmed as Prime Minister, Ethiopia’s authoritarian and conflict-torn trajectory could destabilize the entire Horn of Africa region with population outflows, foreign meddling, border tensions, or even conflict with neighboring states. The expanding civil war that started in November 2020 has been accompanied by an internet and communications shut down, gross human rights abuses, ethnic targeting, denial of humanitarian access, warnings against those who advocate for peace, and arrests of journalists. Ethnic tensions entrenched in the constitution and exploited by the government are deepening divisions between groups and hindering efforts towards a peaceful resolution and democratic governance.

NED’s engagement in Ethiopia seeks to counter political and ethnic polarization, enhance social cohesion, promote an environment that protects human rights and civic space, and holds abusers accountable. NED’s local partners and core institutes are promoting representation of all political and ethnic groups, expanding independent media—particularly in marginalized areas—advancing human rights, and amplifying underrepresented voices to ensure citizens’ concerns are part of the national discourse.

Grantee Spotlight

The once-promising democratic transition in Ethiopia suffered a major setback when the nation became engulfed in a devastating and protracted civil war. In the face of heightened ethnic tensions and shrinking democratic space, the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) emerged as a unifying voice and a consistent advocate for all-inclusive national dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict. The Solidarity Center worked with CETU to build on its traditional and primary role of promoting freedom of association and defending the interests of workers, to also play a role in the peacebuilding process and national dialogue efforts in Ethiopia.

The national confederation has been recognized as a leading champion of human rights and an inclusive trade union with a unique multi-ethnic and multi-faith appeal. The CETU’s ability to not only maintain a cohesive organization but also protect its members despite the hostilities positioned it as a key advisor to the team members of the African Union’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, in the lead-up to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the warring parties. Under the umbrella of the Horn of African Confederation of Trade Unions (HACTU), CETU is also partnering with trade union organizations and civil society organizations in the sub-region to support peacemaking efforts in Sudan.

Sudan

In the last several years, Sudan has swung from a major democratic breakthrough to a devastating descent into a brutal civil war that has created the world’s largest displacement crisis. The 2018-19 December Revolution that swept President Bashir from power after 30 years in charge captivated global attention and briefly ushered in a civilian-led transitional government that tried to live up to the Sudanese people’s call for freedom, peace, and justice. Cut short by a coup d’etat in 2021 and, later, the outbreak of full-scale war in 2023, Sudan now faces the prospect of state collapse or bifurcation, as authoritarian regional powers prop up their preferred conflict party and fuel the war. Sudan’s strategic location on the Red Sea means its continued splintering will ripple across Africa and the Middle East.

In the currently fluid context, NED supports Sudan’s grassroots democracy movement to document human rights abuses and hold military leaders accountable, both domestically and internationally. Local partners work to maintain the social fabric and counteract the impact of the war on civilians. Similarly, NED supports independent media to provide accurate and credible information to Sudanese and international audiences.

Grantee Spotlight

Sudan continues to experience large-scale human rights violations amid ongoing conflict, making accurate monitoring, documentation, and advocacy efforts essential to holding the conflict parties accountable. Civil society organizations, such as the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), have been at the forefront of documenting these abuses and advocating at both international and regional levels. ACJPS was founded in exile in 2010 by Darfuri human rights lawyers who had been exiled the year before, after President Bashir was indicted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

ACJPS's widely circulated reports and public statements are frequently cited by international partners and in local and international press. After the outbreak of war in April 2023, ACJPS led advocacy efforts at the UN Human Rights Council, which resulted in the establishment of the UN Fact Finding Mission for Sudan. This milestone achievement includes a broad mandate in line with ACJPS’ requests to investigate abuses and identify perpetrators during the war and collect and preserve evidence for future accountability efforts.  Beyond advocacy, ACJPS trains and supports networks of lawyers to file cases on behalf of human rights victims in national and regional courts to help support and seek redress for victims and push for legal accountability. As the war continues, ACJPS remains steadfast in its commitment to shine a light on countless abuses and atrocities.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo’s massive economic potential, including its diverse natural resources, its people remain among the poorest in the world. The country is fraught with political instability, rampant corruption, and frequent human rights violations. Conflict, deeply intertwined with corruption and resources, plagues the eastern region. The DRC has made incremental progress toward democratic governance, marked by increased civil society engagement in the democratic process, expanding space for freedom of expression, and multiparty elections. In 2019, the country saw the first peaceful transfer of power. President Félix Tshisekedi was re-elected in an election marred by irregularities in 2023. Since then, the government has consolidated power by cracking down on opposition members, human rights activists, and journalists in a country known for its vibrant civil society.

In this context, NED supports organizations that promote transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process and educate and mobilize citizens to participate in and observe elections at the local and national level. Anti-corruption partners advocate for accountability and reform, leading citizen movements to demand greater transparency in local government and in the country’s important mining sector. NED also supports human rights defenders to document, monitor, and report serious cases of human rights abuses, which help raise national and international awareness and foster broader demands for action.

Grantee Spotlight

In the lead-up to the 2023 election, NED worked in close coordination with its core institutes and other donors to field the largest domestic election observation mission in Congo’s history. The Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Congo (CENCO), the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), and the Synergie des Missions d’Observation Citoyenne des Élections (SYMOCEL), representing the Catholic and Protestant churches as well as a coalition of civil society organizations, deployed more than 30,000 observers across Congo. NED support focused especially on large-scale public education and mobilization campaigns through targeted radio programs and press conferences. These efforts empowered citizens to monitor election day activities and prevent several cases of voting machine misuse and ballot stuffing. Their public statements, press releases and reports addressed key electoral issues and served as a means to advocate for democratic principles, transparency, and peaceful, free and fair elections. Building on their experience around the 2023 elections and recommendations for increased transparency, the three partners have embarked on critical electoral reform activities and broader efforts to promote stronger democratic governance and accountability. Their election observation was recognized globally and cited by institutions such as the Carter Center, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Voice of America, Reuters, the BBC, and Al Jazeera.

Angola

While some early reforms in President João Lourenço’s government gave hope for change, ongoing corruption and repression remain significant challenges facing Angola’s democratic development. In his second term, which began in 2022 following highly contested elections, Lourenço’s government has implemented several restrictive laws targeting civil society organizations and free speech. The National Security and Vandalism Crime laws, passed in 2023 and 2024 respectively, have severely limited freedom of expression and association. These laws impose harsh penalties for protests and grant the government broad powers to control media outlets, restrict civil society activities, and suppress dissent. Civil society in Angola has struggled to mount an effective response, facing increased challenges in a shrinking civic space.

NED focuses on building the capacity of local organizations to counter these repressive measures, promote transparency, and encourage active citizen and political participation, particularly among youth. NED supports partners to elevate citizen voices and foster relationships between elected officials and their constituents. By empowering Angolan civil society to defend democratic freedoms, citizens can cultivate a more inclusive political environment that holds leaders accountable.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is engulfed in political turmoil, humanitarian crisis, and escalating terrorist attacks. The 2022 military takeover has weakened democratic institutions and the rule of law. Restriction of civic space and freedom of expression has intensified as the regime has adopted military conscription laws and other legislation to silence dissent and undermine the judiciary. While the junta pledged to restore sovereignty and security, and improve governance, it has instead suppressed freedoms and democratic participation, targeting the media, civil society, and political parties with harassment, suspension of activities, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrest. The regime’s militarized approach has failed to curb insurgency and has instead resulted in persistent human rights violations, including torture, illegal detention, forced disappearances and the displacement of millions of people. Failing to address insecurity, the military government unilaterally decided to extend the transition for five more years. Junta propaganda increased to rally support for the regime and undermine democracy.

NED supports groups who are strengthening citizens’ capacity to advocate for a rapid and peaceful return to democratic rule. NED partners advocate for an open civic space, advance freedom of expression, and support collective action to prepare for a political opening. This includes mobilizing and educating citizens on democratic values, promoting respect for human rights, and the importance of citizen participation. Other areas of focus include, supporting independent media to increase the availability of credible information, supporting popular demand for a return to democratic government, and strengthening civil society resilience to authoritarianism.

ResEarch and Analysis

International Forum Report: Kleptocratic Cooperation in Africa

Authoritarian actors play a crucial role in enabling kleptocracy across sub-Saharan Africa. A new report by NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, highlights the ways in which global authoritarian powers, Russia and China, provide surge capacity to kleptocratic networks in Africa. The authors identify critical steps to elevate civil society’s essential work exposing and combatting corruption. 

Read the Report

Journal of Democracy Analysis: Standing up to Africa's Juntas

A string of Kremlin-backed military coups has brought a collection of juntas to power, write Joseph Siegle and Jeffrey Smith in the Journal of Democracy. The West should resist calls to placate them, sticking to its values and pushing for a return to civilian rule.

Read "Standing up to Africa's Junta's"

International Forum Q&A: Irene Mwendwa on Women, Data, and Democracy

As AI technologies assume increasingly prominent roles in everyday life and decision-making, building representative tools that reflect democratic values is more important than ever. To better investigate this challenge, NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies sat down with Irene Mwendwa, executive director of the African feminist tech collective Pollicy, to discuss building more equitable digital ecosystems.

Read Q&A with Irene Mwendwa

Journal of Democracy Article: How Strategic Violence Distorts African Elections

While most attention have been focused on extreme electoral violence on the African continent, strategic low-scale violence has often been overlooked. In this essay, Michael Wahman seeks to shed light on the far more pervasive forms of violence on political participation. He argues that low-scale violence is an effective method of eroding the quality of democracies that attracts less attention and less severe consequences for the perpetrator. 

Read "How sTrategic Violence Distorts African Elections"