Access to Information: The Bridge to Sustainable Development Strategic Plan 2021-2025 - Africa Freedom of Information Centre
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Africa Freedom of Information Centre Access to Information: The Bridge to Sustainable Development Strategic Plan 2021-2025
Contents
Introduction�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
Executive Summary�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
Chapter 1: Who we are�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
1.1 Why we focus on access to information�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6
1.2 Our membership and governance ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6
1.3 What we have achieved�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
1.4 Select project snapshots������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10
1.4 Lessons learnt ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
Chapter 2: Our context - New challenges and opportunities �������������������������������������������������������������� 13
2.1 Opportunities: Technology and citizen demand for better services���������������������������������������������� 13
2.2 Challenges: Political and policy environments, and citizen demand���������������������������������������������� 14
2.3 Needs: Membership strengthening and support������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 18
Chapter 3: Strategy - Theory of change and strategic priorities���������������������������������������������������������� 19
3.1 Theory of change������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 19
3.2 Target thematic areas ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20
3.3 Priority actors and stakeholders ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20
3.4 Strategic priorities ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21
3.5 Approaches and activities���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 23
Chapter 4: Implementation������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 26
4.1 Our team �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26
4.2 Monitoring, evaluation, and learning �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27
4.3 Communication���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28
Appendix 1: Indicators �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
Appendix 2: Key actors and platforms in ATI ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 35
Appendix 3: Budget and finances�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37
1. Financial Resources ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37
2. Budget Summary �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37
Maps made with www.mapcharts.com
Image © Patrick Fore at Unsplash
Appendix 4: Additional project snapshots ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 38
Design by Fovea Design
Appendix 5: Home to transparency and accountability initiatives������������������������������������������������������ 45
Abbreviations and Acronyms
ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
AFEX African Freedom of Expression eXchange
AFIC Africa Freedom of Information Centre
APAI African Platform for Access to Information
ATI Access to Information
AU African Union
CBO Community Based Organisation
CSO Civil Society Organisation
FOI Freedom of Information
FOIAnet Freedom of Information Advocates Network
GA General Assembly
GC Governing Council
GM General Meeting
ICT Information and Communication Technology
IDUAI International Day for Universal Access to Information
IFEX International Freedom of Expression eXchange
IT Information Technology
A
MEL Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
MP Member of Parliament ccess to information is both a
OC
OCDS
Open Contracting
Open Contracting Data Standards
fundamental human right and
OGP Open Government Partnership also a critical public accountability
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals tool.
SP Strategic Plan
UN United Nations
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNHRC United Nations Human Rights Council
1 - Introduction Executive Summary - 2
Introduction Executive Summary
W ithout public access to information, the journey to sustainable
development will be a long and difficult one. The pandemic
of Covid-19 has revealed that access to information is not only the
difference between life and death, but also critical for transparent
and accountable use of scarce resources donated and appropriated An Africa where all citizens
to fight the outbreak. Yet, both are challenged in Africa. People whose can exercise their right of
lives are disproportionately affected by a lack of information are at the
same time most challenged in accessing it, our big concern. Policies
Our access to information.
matter, yet most African countries have yet to ratify, domesticate and
effectively implement access to information laws - contrary to SDG Vision
16.10.2 and African Union treaties.
Our new strategic plan, Access to information: The Bridge to
Sustainable Development seeks to ensure that people can access
information they need to survive current and future health and
other crises. It also seeks to empower everyone, especially the
most disadvantaged and vulnerable populations: women, people
Our
with disabilities, displaced persons and youth in Africa, to access the
information they need to exercise all their rights and achieve their full Support a pan-African network Mission
potential. of actors to advance the right
of access to information on the
African continent.
Our previous successes and learning were made possible by
hard work but also by the support of our funders, the United Nations
system, African Union institutions and organs, national governments,
our members, partners and the Governing Council. If access to
information is going to be the bridge to sustainable development, our
T
stakeholders will be the bridge for people in Africa to access public
information.
his strategic plan was formulated over the course of 2020 through reflections on the past work
and achievements under AFIC’s prior strategic plan, intensive consultations with AFIC members,
state actors, and communities we work with, and internal reflections with the AFIC team. The
We are grateful to IFEX, the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) result sets out AFIC’s strategic direction for the next five years.
and Dave Algoso for funding our strategic planning process.
3 - Executive Summary Executive Summary - 4
At the core of the plan is a set of four strategic priorities, and the outcomes we aim for within each of
those priorities, in pursuit of our overall vision and mission.
1 3
Right to Every individual in Africa realises their right to
information in practice:
Membership AFIC membership is well-equipped and effectively
coordinated to advance the right to information
Information 1. African Union member states ratify and/or domesticate
Strengthening and/or open contracting in respective countries
African Union treaties that guarantee the right of access 1. Improved capacity of AFIC members to promote
to information for every individual in Africa. and defend the right to access to information,
transparency and accountability.
2. African Union member states implement ATI laws in
target thematic areas. 2. Improved capacity of AFIC members to use
regional, continental, and international
3. Citizens and CSOs actively demand public information mechanisms to promote the right of access to
to advance sustainable development. information, transparency and accountability.
4. ATI oversight bodies (where established) have capacity 3. AFIC members are coordinated to collectively
to fulfill their mandates. engage in international and regional campaigns
2
and platforms on ATI.
4. Knowledge and best practices are shared among
AFIC members.
Transparency and Public services are transparent, efficient, competitive,
5. Increased membership in countries where AFIC
4
and deliver value for money for citizens in Africa:
Accountability has no presence on the African continent.
1. Open contracting standards and norms are adopted
and implemented by member states.
2. Whistle-blower protection mechanisms established and
are functional.
Institutional AFIC is adequately resourced, sustainably funded,
and well-governed to effectively promote the right
3. CSOs and other data users have capacity and use
Strengthening to information at all levels.
published data to promote efficiency, value for money, 1. AFIC’s staff have the capacity to fulfil its mandate.
fair business practices, and better service delivery.
2. AFIC enjoys sustainable organisational funding.
4. Citizens’ demand for transparency and accountability in
public contracting increased. 3. AFIC is a well-governed organisation.
5. Improved governments’ response to citizens’ demand
for transparency and accountability in public contracting.
5 - Who We Are Who We Are - 6
“Ensure public access to information and
CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Why we focus on protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance
access to information with national legislation and international
Who we are agreements.”
Target 16.10, Sustainable Development
Goals
Access to information is both a fundamental
human right and also a critical public account-
ability tool. It is central to promoting democratic
rule, advancing socio-economic justice, and An enabler of other rights
Y TR
R IT AN ensuring government transparency, integrity,
G SP Access to information is a critical enabler
TE A and accountability.
N of informed expression, participation in
R
I
governance, and public accountability.
EN
CY
OUR VISION As the world implements its commitment
A recognized human right
to eradicating poverty and achieving sustain-
As a fundamental human right, access to able development through the 2030 Agenda
information is recognized by the United for Sustainable Development, access to
ITY
Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human
COLLA
information is needed for the realization of
OUR MISSION Rights and the International Covenant on Civil
USIV
Support a pan-African network of other rights, such as physical and mental
actors to advance the right of and Political Rights, and by the AU through the health, education, and equality.
BO
access to information on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
CL
African continent
RA
Our strategic focus therefore undertakes
IN
In addition, the African Union underscores
TI
the significance of access to information in access to information as a bridge to sustainable
O
N
public participation through its treaties. These development.
include the African Charter on Democracy,
EQ
UAL ITY Elections and Governance, the African Youth
ITY & EQU
Charter, and the African Charter on Values and
Principles of Public Service Administration. The
O U R VA L U E S importance of advancing and enforcing access 1.2 Our membership
to information is similarly reflected in the
Sustainable Development Goals.
and governance
T
he Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is a pan-African, membership-based civil society Most recently, in 2019, the African
network and resource center promoting the right of access to information, transparency and Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
AFIC was first registered in 2007 in Nigeria, and
accountability across Africa. We do this by supporting national advocacy with comparative research, adopted an expanded Declaration of Principles
then established a permanent office in Uganda
capacity strengthening, and technical support; by monitoring treaty compliance and implementation; on Freedom of Expression and Access to
in 2009. In the years since, our network has
and by leading continental and global advocacy. Information in Africa.1 The Declaration’s
grown to include 43 civil society organisations
Principle 26 states that the right of access to
and think tanks across 22 countries. (See map
information held by public bodies and relevant
on the next page).
private bodies shall be guaranteed by law,
OUR VISION OUR VALUES
expeditiously and inexpensively. We are governed by a General Assembly (GA)
An Africa where all citizens can exercise their 1. Integrity of our members, which sits at least once
right of access to information. “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion
every three years to provide overall strategic
2. Transparency and expression; this right includes freedom
direction and elect a Governing Council (GC)
3. Inclusivity to hold opinions without interference and
that manages the Secretariat for a three-year
OUR MISSION to seek, receive and impart information and
4. Equality and equity term.
Support a pan-African net-work of actors to ideas through any media and regardless of
advance the right of access to information on 5. Collaboration frontiers.”
the African continent.
Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
1
For more on the 2019 Declaration, which replaced the 2002 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of
Expression, see here: https://www.achpr.org/legalinstruments/detail?id=69
7 - Who We Are Who We Are - 8
Countries and AFIC Members 1.3 What we have achieved
NIGERIA 43 members
Media Rights Agenda
22 countries As our membership has grown, we have contributed to the advancement of access to information
Public and Private within Africa and around the world. A few of our major achievements under our prior strategy (2015-
Development Centre
2019) are listed below.
Right to Know Nigeria
MOROCCO EGYPT
CMF Mena
Association for
Freedom of Thought Advanced ATI agenda in Africa through regional and international
and Expression
SOUTH SUDAN partnerships
Association of Media
Development in South Sudan
We worked through regional and international mechanisms to advance the right
UGANDA
to information in policy and practice. Through shadow reporting, direct advocacy
SENEGAL Human Rights Network for
engagements, petitions, and meetings, we secured commitments, resolutions, and
Journalists
Article 19 West Africa
HURINET Uganda decisions in favor of ATI. Key among these is the United Nations General Assembly and
Federation of African
Journalists Islamic Women Initiative for Justice
UNESCO General Conference Resolutions Proclaiming September 28th as the International
Panos West Africa Day for Universal Access to Information.
Kick Corruption Out of Kigezi
Law and Peace (IWILAP)
Transparency International -
Uganda Increased adoption of progressive national ATI laws
Uganda Road Sector Support
GUINEA Initiative
CADES Guinea We have supported and collaborated with partners on campaigns that have increased
SOMALIA the number of countries with ATI laws: from 15 countries in 2016 to 25 in November
SIERRA LEONE Bareedo Platform Somalia 2019. Our strategies have included: shadow reporting to treaty bodies like the Human
Society for
Democratic Initiatives KENYA Rights Council and the ACHPR; analysis of draft bills and providing feedback to national
CAMEROON AIDSPAN legislators; technical assistance to our members and partners at national level; mobilizing
LIBERIA Citizens Governanc Article 19 East Africa OGP commitments on ATI laws; petitions and letter campaigns; promotional missions;
Initiative
Center for Media Studies International Commission of and working collaboratively with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and
and Peace Building AfroLeadership Jurists Access to Information in Africa.
DR CONGO RWANDA
GHANA Collectif 24 Never Again Rwanda
Commonwealth Human Promoted effective implementation of ATI laws in Africa
Rights Initiative Comite des Droits TANZANIA
de L’Homme et Tanzania Citizens Information
Developpement Bureau
Ghana Anti-Corruption (CODHOD) From our first strategy (2011-2015) to our most recent (2015-2019), our work expanded
Coalition
Forum International des MALAWI from a focus on adopting laws to also promoting effective implementation. As part of
Femmes de l’Espace
Media Foundation for Francophone
Centre for Human Rights that work, we developed training manuals for and delivered training to over 1,800 public
Rehabilitation
West Africa
Front pour le
officials, civil society representatives, and journalists in Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and
Développement et La
MOZAMBIQUE Uganda. In addition, we piloted sector and thematic implementation of ATI laws focused
Défense des droits humains
ACREDITA on open contracting and women.Targeted governments improved on implementation,
FDH Observatoire and CSO/journalist demand for public information grew. Significantly, delivery of services
d’études et d’Appui à la ZIMBABWE improved at community level as a result of disclosure and citizen monitoring of contracts
Responsabilité Sociale et
MISA Zimbabwe
Environementale NAMIBIA and services.
MISA Regional
SOUTH AFRICA
African Network of Constitutional
BOTSWANA Lawyers
University of Botswana Centre for Human Rights
AFIC Member Countries
South Africa History Archives
9 - Who We Are Who We Are - 10
Expanded use of ATI through open contracting, open data, and open government by
AFIC members. 1.4 Select project snapshots
Public procurement accounts for 55-65% of most governments’ expenditures, yet it is
littered with secrecy, conflicts, collusion, and corruption. We believe that disclosure of See Annex 1 for further snapshots.
public procurement information is key. Through promoting open contacting, we have
seen governments disclose more—especially by using technology like the Government
Procurement Portal in Uganda and the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) in Enhancing good governance through citizens’ access to information
Nigeria. We have worked with public procurement authorities to map disclosure levels
and support them in publishing data in Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) formats
to enable monitoring. We have also trained public officials in disclosure and citizens
in contract monitoring. Finally, we have monitored public contracts and shared report This two-year project started with a baseline study to research the status
findings with key accountability agencies to inform improvement of disclosure by public of ATI in 16 African countries. It then involved training 90 public officials
agencies. This work has shined a light on corruption and waste, enabling governments to and 122 civil society leaders and journalists on ATI in Malawi, Kenya, and
75 information Uganda. Demand for public information and responsiveness of government
fix problems.
requests were filed agencies improved quickly: 75 information requests were filed within 4
within 4 weeks of weeks of the training. In Uganda, authorities responded to 50% of those
information requests within the statutory 21 days of requesting; in Malawi,
Increased knowledge of ATI in advancing human rights, rule of law, and the training. 37.5% received responses within a reasonable time. Platforms to discuss and
transparency and accountability. follow-up on issues raised from information requests were created. More
significantly, corruption was exposed and dealt with, enabling people to
One of the major barriers to ATI is simply lack of knowledge about this powerful tool, access basic health and education services.1
among both citizens and duty bearers. We have advanced knowledge and understanding
of ATI through reports, case studies, and more, disseminating information to citizens,
our members and other CSOs, government officials and public servants, development
agencies, and regional and international institutions. Deepening open government through women’s participation in
public contracting
This action research project examined how open government engages
Promoted social inclusion for marginalized groups (incl. women, youth, people with women in Kenya, Nigeria, and Malawi. The research looked at women’s
disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others) in ATI. access to and use of contracting information; women’s role in co- Procurement
creation of OGP national action plans; and government commitment authorities in East
Through our work—including our feminist open contracting research, access to to access and participation in public contracting. The findings revealed
that public procurement is dominated by men, reinforced by the fact
Africa resolved
information baseline study, and project on winning against corruption with private sector
players—we have shown how marginalized groups, who face difficulties accessing social that most companies are owned and managed by men. Although to promote
services and enforcing rights, are also disproportionately disadvantaged in accessing inclusion-related laws exist, there is a lack of specific commitments inclusiveness of
such as ring-fencing procurement proportions for women. The
public information. This is due to isolation and low social status, exacerbated by decision-
project raised awareness of barriers to women’s participation in public
women.
makers’ poor understanding and awareness of those challenges. This knowledge has
helped create greater understanding of the need for inclusive programming. contracting, and informed engagement with procurement authorities
in East Africa, who in turn resolved to promote inclusiveness.2
2
This project was made possible with US$289,000 in support from the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency.
3
This project was funded by the International Development Research Centre and Results for Development.
11 - Who We Are Who We Are - 12
1.4 Lessons learnt Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
through the provision of shadow reports. The
Coalition building is critical.
reports enhanced my engagement with State Through advocacy for resolutions at the
30 African Parties which presented their State Reports.” United Nations and elsewhere, as well as
campaigns for ATI laws at the national level,
Despite our achievements, significant work countries have Adv. Faith Pansy Tlakula, Commissioner, we have learnt that coalitions are critical for
remains to be done: 30 African countries are yet to adopt ATI Special Rapporteur on Freedom of increasing the legitimacy of issues, as well
yet to adopt ATI laws, and the 25 countries that laws Expression and Access to Information in as for pulling together critical resources,
have laws struggle with their implementation. Africa expertise, and connections with key decision-
Seizing these opportunities requires learning makers. For example, working with our African
from our work so far. The following lessons Platform on Access to Information (APAI)
from our last strategic plan inform this one: partners, we mobilized support for resolutions
sufficient on their own. We also need effective for the International Day for Universal Access
demand and citizen participation for these to Information (IDUAI) by both the UNESCO
Implementing commitments requires policies to realize their goals. And on the General Conference and United Nations
technical capacity and co-creation. government side, these goals need to be General Assembly.
matched with accountability mechanisms:
The Sustainable Development Framework, corruption uncovered through ATI must lead to
African Union Agenda 2063, and the Open sanctions for culprits, rather than (as is often
Government Partnership have mobilized the case) administrative transfers to other
political will to pass reforms, leading to agencies. This combination of transparency,
commitments on ATI, anti-corruption, and open participation, and accountability is necessary
contracting. However, making the commitment to address poor governance sustainably over
is just one step. Many governments lack the time.
technical capacity, understanding of citizen
needs, and space for collaboration with citizens
and civil society to effectively implement
Regional and global bodies need civil society
commitments. For example, in Uganda, the
input as much as national and subnational
government accepted AFIC recommendations
governments.
to implement open contracting but was unable
to re-design its procurement portal to meet The effectiveness of regional and international
OCDS requirements. AFIC supported the mechanisms such as ACHPR, UN special
government in turning the commitment into procedures, and UN Human Rights Council’s
reality. This strategy prioritizes co-creation Universal Periodic Review depend on the
of solutions with governments and other quality of feedback they receive from CSOs,
stakeholders to implement recommendations. which is used to provide feedback and/
or recommendations to states parties.
Disclosure is not enough to bring change
When CSOs do not provide reports and
to people’s lives—citizen participation and
complaints to these mechanisms, these
demand for information matter, as do
bodies are significantly constrained in making
accountability mechanisms.
appropriate interventions. For their part, CSOs
ATI is fundamental for protecting other struggle to engage these mechanisms due to
human rights and realizing sustainable lack of awareness of their existence, lack of
development goals, whether it be ending understanding of how such bodies work, and
poverty, empowering women and girls, lack of resources (including travel funding) to
promoting health and well-being, or engage them.
ensuring climate resilience. However, while
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to
laws and policy frameworks that promote
you personally and to AFIC for the support you
public disclosure are necessary, they are not
gave me during the 56th Session of the African
13 - Our Context Our Context - 14
CHAPTER TWO 2.2 Challenges: Africa mirrors the global context in these
dynamics. But further to this, abuse of public
Political and policy
Our context: New challenges
office is rampant and impunity presents a
key challenge. Citizens do not have sufficient
environments, and information, capacity, and mechanisms to
and opportunities citizen demand hold public officials accountable. This is also
because most public transactions occur away
from the public view, with little scrutiny. This
tends to allow corruption to thrive as service
delivery is compromised, especially with
Despite the progress made in our past work
public procurement processes being shrouded
and the opportunities ahead of us, we see
T
in secrecy and mystified. Public-private
he context for AFIC’s work is changing, and so our work must evolve to meet it. Our strategy challenges at three levels across the countries
partnerships for infrastructure development
process identified two major contextual factors that provide opportunities to advance our work, where AFIC members work: in the political
are similarly mired in corruption, leaving the
but we also face challenges—some in the general political and policy environments, and some environments beyond access to information;
public bearing most of the costs.
specific to work on ATI. Finally, we see various needs specific to our network and its members. in the policy and regulatory environments
specific to ATI; and in citizen demand for
information.
Challenges in the policy and regulatory
Based on our experience, we also see a
2.1 Opportunities: special opportunity in the use of technology
environments for ATI
Technology and citizen in public contracting to advance value for
money, efficiency, fair business practices,
Challenges in the political environment
beyond ATI
Most African governments operate on the
basis of official secrecy laws inherited from
demand for better and better service delivery. Contracting is the
The active involvement of the public in
colonial regimes or enacted under one-party
services main channel through which governments
provide goods and services, but the World
fostering accountability and exercising
political systems. Even in countries that have
enacted ATI laws, the best practice of proactive
oversight in development creates avenues
Bank estimates that over 30% of contract value disclosure is rarely embraced. Though citizens
for improving service delivery. However, it is
is lost through corruption and inefficiency in want to know more from and about their
difficult to maintain accountability mechanisms
public procurement processes and delivery of governments, most states instead conceal
While technological progress has created in unstable and/or secretive political
basic services in Africa. information and encourage secrecy.
new threats for activists and journalists, from environments. A global resurgence of citizens’
state surveillance to malware, it also presents The second major opportunity we face is interest in governance has been accompanied While technology has supported
major opportunities: technology can protect the massive increase in people—particularly by the need to also strengthen democracy, challenges to state secrecy, states have
democratic spaces and accelerate growth young people—demanding better public whose most visible indicator is the holding responded by deploying surveillance
and development. Innovators have relied services. These young people are digital of regular, free, fair, and credible elections. technologies to intimidate the citizenry. This
on technology to craft solutions to social natives: savvy users of technology in their day- Unfortunately, voters are often unable to threatens the privacy and digital security of
challenges and many industries are seeking to-day lives. They have exposed gaps in access effectively participate in electoral processes citizens, especially human rights defenders
efficient uses of technology to maintain a to information and created opportunities for and ultimately hold leaders accountable due to and others who hold the powerful accountable.
sustainable planet. innovative thinking on social challenges. Such the challenges to being informed about critical Practices that undermine free expression and
innovations have been met with skepticism by issues. organizing have been extended to the online
However, the distribution of and access
most governments, which lag behind in policy world. In the hands of commercial players, the
to technology remain imbalanced, skewed In addition, the astronomical costs of
formulation on tech-aided development. internet has also become a contested space in
against poorer nations. Where this has been electoral campaigns keep public offices in
seen as a weakness, it has also been a strength which collusion between state and commercial
Both of these opportunities are broader the hands of moneyed elites whose interests
that allows these countries to leapfrog others. actors has prevented access and kept critical
than our work on access to information, but are not aligned with poor and marginalized
Over the last decade, rapid expansion of voices out.
both provide key leverage points we can use to populations. The lack of transparency on the
technology—especially mobile telephones— advance our mission. sources and uses of political funding make it The policy and regulatory environments
in the Global South has led to service delivery harder for elections and democracy to serve as for ATI are shaped by treaties, laws, and their
innovations in key areas such as health and transformative processes that deliver tangible implementation. We see gaps in all of these.
education. This has also allowed greater change.
access to information, linking parts of the
world together and increasing awareness on a
range of issues.15 - Our Context Our Context - 16
Lack of treaty ratifications
African Charter on Democracy, Elections African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Through multiple treaties, the African Union recognizes the right of access to information by every and Governance Rights
individual, as a human and people’s right and also as a tool for the promotion of democracy, anti-
corruption, and public participation. However, as of the end of 2020, a significant number of African
Union member states were yet to ratify and domesticate these treaties.
African Union Treaty Ratifications
African Charter on Values and Principles of African Charter on Statistics 34 / 55 54 / 55
Public Service and Administration RATIFIED RATIFIED
AU Countries
in which
treaty has
been ratified
Article 19(2): “Each State Party shall guarantee conditions of Article 9(1): “Every individual shall have the right to receive
security, free access to information, non-interference, freedom information.”
of movement and full cooperation with the electoral observer
mission.”
African Union Convention on Prevention African Youth Charter
19 / 55 23 / 55 and Combating Corruption
RATIFIED RATIFIED
Article 6: Article 3: Principles
1. Public Service and Administration shall make available • Transparency: To facilitate proper interpretation of data,
to users information on procedures and formalities Statistics authorities shall provide information on their
pertaining to public service delivery. sources, methods and procedures that have been used in
line with scientific standards. The domestic law governing
39 / 55
2. Public Service and Administration shall inform users of
all decisions made concerning them, the reasons behind
those decisions, as well as the mechanisms available for
operation of the statistical systems must be made
available to the public. 43 / 55 RATIFIED
appeal. RATIFIED
• Accuracy and reliability: African statistics shall be an
3. Public Service and Administration shall establish effective accurate and reliable reflection of the reality.
communication systems and processes to inform the
public about service delivery, to enhance access to • Timeliness: African statistics shall be disseminated in good
information by users, as well as to receive their feedback time and, as far as possible, according to pre-determined
and inputs. calendar. Article 9: “Each State Party shall adopt such legislative and Article 10 (3) State Parties shall:
4. Public Service and Administration shall ensure that other measures to give effect to the right of access to any (d) Provide access to information and education and training
• Accessibility: African statistics shall not be made
administrative procedures and documents are presented information that is required to assist in the fight against for young people to learn their rights and responsibilities, to
in a user-friendly and simplified manner. inaccessible in any way whatsoever corruption and related offences”. be schooled in democratic processes, citizenship, decision-
making, governance and leadership such that they develop
Article 12 (4): State Parties undertake to: “Ensure that the the technical skills and confidence to participate in these
Media is given access to information in cases of corruption processes”
and related offences on condition that the dissemination of
such information does not adversely affect the investigation
process and the right to a fair trial.”17 - Our Context Our Context - 18
Lack of laws Beyond the use of ATI by individual citizens, strategic groups—such as journalists; women, youth, and
child rights advocacy groups; trade unions; and anti-corruption agencies—are not actively using ATI
The treaties listed above and the SDG 16.10.2 As a result, even countries with strong laws may in their work. They are also not engaging important social groups, including farmers, workers, urban
call on states to adopt and implement national not have systems for receiving and responding poor, migrants, people with disabilities, youth, and children.
access to information laws. However, only 25 to requests, proactive disclosure, records
African countries have done so (an increase management, and reporting. Consequently,
from 14 at the beginning of AFIC’s last strategic proactive disclosure obligations are flouted,
plan, in 2015).4 That leaves 30 African countries information requests routinely go unanswered,
yet to adopt ATI laws. The absence of such laws responses are made beyond statutory limits,
makes it difficult for officials and citizens to and reporting obligations are violated.
know what information should be accessible,
including by whom, how, when, and from Where oversight agencies (such as 2.3 Needs: Membership strengthening and support
whom—and what appeal and oversight Information Commissioners) exist, they often
mechanisms apply. lack the capacity to fulfill their mandates, as
is the case in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South
AFIC members are at the forefront of defending and promoting state compliance with ATI
Sudan. They often do not sanction public
the rights of citizens to access information obligations. These mechanisms include: the
Inadequacies in laws bodies or covered private bodies for failure
in their various countries. In order to fulfill African Commission on Human and Peoples’
to implement the law. When oversight bodies
that role, AFIC members need the capacity Rights; Universal Periodic Review of the
Even where countries have enacted laws, a report to their parliaments, reports are not
to mobilize and empower citizens to demand Human Rights Council; UN Special Procedures;
related set of challenges emanates from the debated or errant officers are not questioned.
and protect their access to information rights. and UNCAC Review. State parties are required
quality of the laws. For example, in a number Lack of compliance and enforcement creates a
They also need expertise, which they may not to submit reports, which these bodies use
of countries, such as Uganda and Nigeria, culture of abuse of the law with impunity.
have in-house, on passing and implementing to make findings and recommendations for
the laws do not provide for an independent
ATI laws. Organisationally, they often need implementation. Even though AFIC’s observer
oversight mechanism responsible for
support with fundraising efforts, including status gives its members access to engage
promoting and overseeing implementation. Low citizen demand for information
help identifying potential funding sources. directly with these bodies, AFIC members and
Other issues include: wide exemptions, lack
Transparency and accountability work often other CSOs are often not familiar with these
of sanctions for errant behavior like refusal Separate from direct support that individual
focuses more on duty bearers or “supply side”, systems: lacking understanding of how the
to comply with the law, problematic appeal organisations need, the AFIC network needs
rather than on the rights holders who demand mechanisms work and resources to attend
processes, and ambiguity. coordination to share information, knowledge,
information and accountable governance. meetings limits their engagement.
and best practices through peer learning.
Unfortunately, across countries, citizen
demand for information is weak, owing to a One specific area of work where AFIC
Poor implementation and enforcement of
lack of awareness of their right to information members and other CSOs need support is in
laws
and how to exercise it through ATI laws. When advocating through regional and international
Studies done by AFIC (as well as others by denied access, the majority of citizens do mechanisms that exist for monitoring
Global Integrity, the Carter Centre, and not appeal. In addition, across many African
UNESCO) show ATI laws are not being countries there have been attempts to keep
implemented to a great extent.5 Public officials people ill-informed and limit their access to
often are not aware that the laws exist or do internet through various barriers.
not understand their obligations under them.
This is sometimes driven by misunderstanding
of conflicting laws, like Secrecy Acts.
4 Those with laws include: Angola, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya; Liberia; Malawi;
Morocco; Mozambique; Nigeria; Niger; Rwanda; South Africa, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania,
Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
5 See, e.g.: AFIC’s State of the Right to Information in Africa Report 2017 (https://africafoicentre.org/
download/the-state-of-the-right-to-information-in-africa-report-2017/) and Shadow Report on the status
of implementation of the Access to Information Act 2005 in Uganda (https://africafoicentre.org/download/
shadow-report-on-the-status-of-implementation-of-the-access-to-information-act-2005-in-uganda/); Global
Integrity’s Africa Integrity Indicators (https://www.africaintegrityindicators.org/data); and reports based on
the Carter Center’s Implementation Assessment Tool (https://www.cartercenter.org/peace/ati/IAT/index.html).19 - Our Strategy Our Strategy - 20
Most African countries are far from achieving greater barriers to progress on transparency
CHAPTER THREE these outcomes. To get there, we need to see and accountability, and that greater focus was
Strategy: Theory of change and
a variety of changes: in government laws, needed to realize impact. Therefore, we target
regulations, practices, and systems; and in a subset of thematic areas where achieving
citizen and civil society engagement and ability our goals has the greatest potential to advance
strategic priorities
to advocate for change. sustainable development, and where success
can set a standard for other sectors.
We work with both the citizens and the
state, building the capacity of the former Our thematic areas are:
to demand change and the capacity of the
H E A LT H
latter to respond. To get there, much of the Agriculture
work happens through our membership— Education
hence our third strategic priority, focused
AG
O
N R on Membership Strengthening. Our goal Health
there is to equip our members with the skills,
IC
I
AT
U
UC
LT
capacities, and evidence base to make the case Elections
U
ED
Every individual in Africa can
RE
realize their right to Public services are transparent,
information in efficient, competitive, and for change, and help them to be more effective
practice deliver value for money Extractives and natural resources
for citizens in Africa through coordination, especially on work at
Right to Transparency the regional and global levels. Infrastructure
Information and
Accountability
The exact path to change varies depending
on issue and context. For that reason, we
partner closely with our members and other
RCES
CSOs that have deep knowledge of their
3.3 Priority actors and
TURE
contexts. The starting point for our work is
ESOU
TRUC
power analysis: understanding the distribution
stakeholders
AL R
of power and interests among actors in the
RAS
R
AFIC is adequately
NF
ATU
resourced, development arena. By seeking to understand
CI
DN
sustainably funded
the networks of stakeholders involved, and the
I
BL
and well-governed to AFIC membership is
AN
PU
effectively promote the well equipped and effectively drivers and blockers of change, we can better AFIC works in partnerships with international,
ES
right to information at coordinated to advance
IV
all levels the right to information in identify ways to shift attitudes and beliefs to national, and local CSO networks—especially
CT
RA
respective countries
create pressure for change. through our membership engagement—
XT
E
Finally, we emphasize Institutional to promote advocacy and campaigns for
Strengthening of AFIC itself in our final advancing rights and good governance
ELEC TIONS strategic priority. To support our members through transparency and accountability.
in making change, we must ourselves be Along with these partners, we engage key
resourced, sustainable, and effective. platforms at the global and African Union level
3.1 Theory of change to ensure legal change. (See Appendix for full
list of key actors and platforms in ATI.)
We also aim to engage groups of citizens
that will be direct beneficiaries of reforms and
Our theory of change is built on four
strategic priorities: Right to Information,
Right to Information, we aim to ensure that
every individual in Africa can realize their right
3.2 Target thematic whose livelihoods stand the best potential of
Transparency and Accountability, Member- to information in practice. areas being transformed. These groups include:
women, youth, persons with disabilities, and
ship Strengthening, and Institutional Streng-
In Transparency and Accountability, we displaced persons and refugees. We aim to
thening.
focus on making public services transparent, empower these communities on their rights,
Our first two strategic priorities—Right efficient, competitive, and able to deliver value Our strategic priorities of Right to Information including prior informed consent, as well as
to Information, and Transparency and for money for citizens in Africa. These outcomes and Transparency and Accountability are how to engage duty bearers, including in the
Accountability—are fundamental to sustain- are prerequisites for good governance and for broad areas with relevance across all aspects private sector.
able development. We have set ultimate ensuring that public resources lead to effective of government. Under our previous strategic
outcomes for our work in each area. Under delivery of public goods and services. plan, we realized that some sectors presented21 - Our Strategy Our Strategy - 22
3.4 Strategic priorities Strategic Priority 3: Membership Strengthening
Ultimate Outcome: AFIC membership is well-equipped and effectively
Membership coordinated to advance the right to information and/or open contracting in
Strenghtening respective countries.
Strategic Priority 1: Right to Information
Right to
Information Ultimate Outcome: Every individual in Africa realizes their right to information
in practice.
Intermediate Outcomes:
3.1 Improved capacity of AFIC members When AFIC members are well-equipped
Intermediate Outcomes: to promote and defend the right to with skills and knowledge, and effectively
information and open contracting. coordinated to collectively engage in
1.1 African Union member states ratify and/ Access to information is an enabler of international and regional campaigns and
or domesticate African Union treaties all human rights and a tool to facilitate 3.2 Improved capacity of AFIC members to use platforms, then they are able to advance ATI
that guarantee the right of access to transparency and accountability. Therefore: if regional, continental, and international within and across their respective countries.
information for every individual in Africa. African Union treaties that guarantee the right mechanisms to promote ATI and open Knowledge sharing is especially critical on
of access to information for every individual contracting. promoting ATI for marginalized, disabled,
1.2 African Union member states implement in Africa are ratified and domesticated; if ATI
3.3 AFIC members are coordinated to and multilingual communities via digitized
ATI laws in target thematic areas. laws are adopted and effectively implemented
collectively engage in international and procedures and other ICT-based solutions.
in different sectors; and if citizens’ awareness
1.3 Citizens and CSOs actively demand public regional campaigns and platforms on ATI.
information to advance sustainable and knowledge about the right to information
development. is improved; then every individual in Africa will 3.4 Knowledge of best practices is shared
be able to demand, enforce and realize their among AFIC members.
1.4 ATI oversight bodies (where established) right to information in practice.
have capacity to fulfil their mandates. 3.5 Increased membership in countries where
AFIC has no presence on the African
continent
Strategic Priority 2: Transparency and Accountability Transparency &
Ultimate Outcome: Public services are transparent, efficient, competitive, and Accountability
deliver value for money for citizens in Africa. Strategic Priority 4: Institutional Strengthening Institutional
Ultimate Outcome: AFIC is adequately resourced, sustainably funded, and
Strengthening
Intermediate Outcomes: citizens’ demand for transparency and well-governed to effectively promote the right to information at all levels.
accountability in public contracting.
2.1 Open contracting standards and norms
are adopted and implemented by member Our work under this strategic priority Intermediate Outcomes: When AFIC is adequately resourced and well-
states. focuses on open contracting, whistle-blower governed, and its staff has capacity, expertise,
protection and anti-corruption in order to 4.1 AFIC’s staff have the capacity to fulfill its and experience, then we will be able to fulfill
2.2 Whistle-blower protection mechanisms advance value for money, efficiency in public mandate.
established and are functional. our mandate across our strategic priorities.
service systems, fair business practices AFIC will increase its staffing, as well as
better services for citizens. When open 4.2 AFIC enjoys sustainable organisational
2.3 CSOs and other data users have capacity put in place new training, procedures, and
governance is advanced through a variety of funding.
and use published data to promote management tools to effectively deliver on its
factors—the adoption and implementation strategic plan. Special attention will be given to
efficiency, value for money, fair business 4.3 AFIC is a well-governed organisation.
of whistle-blowers protection mechanisms; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; strategic
practices and better service delivery.
open contracting commitments, norms, and communications; financial management; and
2.4 Citizens’ demand for transparency and standards; citizen demand for transparency board engagement.
accountability in public contracting and accountability; and government response
increased. to citizen demand—then public services will
be transparent, efficient and competitive, and
2.5 Improved governments’ response to will deliver value for money for citizens.23 - Our Strategy Our Strategy - 24
3.5 Approaches and activities popularize recommendations of respective
bodies in home countries to increase
pressure on governments to implement
recommendations.
AFIC uses several approaches and activities across our strategic priorities, with some activities serving
multiple priorities—e.g., our Membership Strengthening work often occurs hand-in-hand with our
work under Right to Information or Transparency and Accountability. Building demand:
Our approaches and activities include: AFIC builds the capacity of its members, CSOs,
and ordinary citizens by providing them with
the skills and tools to exercise their right to
information, transparency, and accountability.
Advocacy for adoption of ATI laws: Research and knowledge generation:
Furthermore, AFIC supports and mobilizes
AFIC advocates for the adoption of ATI laws, We are increasing knowledge generation and collective support for campaigns to advance
ratification and domestication of ATI treaties, dissemination to influence public policy. To ATI, transparency, and accountability.
and reporting to respective treaty bodies. that end, we produce annual ‘State of Right
These activities include: campaigning for to Information in Africa’ reports on different
commitments on ATI in respective Open themes of our strategic plan; we document case Co-creation:
Government Partnership National Action studies; and we facilitate knowledge sharing
Plans; engaging national governments directly; sessions amongst various stakeholders in Providing recommendations and feedback is
supporting campaigns of our members and Africa and beyond. not enough. Through constructive engage-
partners with media campaigns; shadow ments, AFIC works with its stakeholders to
reporting to treaty bodies; letters of appeal; find solutions to emerging problems. We do
and other interventions. this through joint fundraising, joint capacity
Monitoring delivery of contracts and
building, technical support, and other activities.
services:
CSO capacity building: We are expanding monitoring of contracts
and services in African countries. This includes
AFIC develops tools and delivers training, development and deployment of relevant
mentorship, and coaching for its member technology platforms and dashboards, training
CSOs and partners across the continent. As and deployment of community monitors,
part of this, we help CSOs use regional and tracking delivery of services, and providing
international mechanisms to advance the right feedback to respective duty bearers. In
to information, including by helping them addition, other stakeholders like media, CSOs,
obtain observer status at, monitor, and provide and businesses will be provided with findings
reports to treaty bodies. and facilitated to use them to increase their
contribution in demanding accountability.
Public sector capacity strengthening:
Monitoring compliance with treaty
AFIC helps public bodies and appropriate obligations:
private bodies to comply with respective
national ATI laws, including by ensuring We are expanding our work of leveraging treaty
they understand their legal obligations. We compliance and providing recommendations
do this through training, mentorship, and for improvements. We do this by conducting
development and dissemination of tools and studies, producing shadow reports, facilitating
templates for the effective implementation. In CSO consultations and input in respective
particular, we work with selected information shadow reports, missions, and engagement
commissioners in the Africa Network of of respective bodies and mandates. More
Information Commissioners. importantly, AFIC and its members will25 - Our Strategy Implementation - 26
CHAPTER FOUR
Implementation
I mplementation is made possible by our team members and the systems and processes we put in
place to support them.
4.1 Our team
AFIC has a vibrant and focused technical team Furthermore, AFIC is committed to
that coordinates work at the Secretariat and strengthening the representation of under-
promotes the objectives of the strategic plan. represented groups, including directly affected
communities, women, youth, and other
The current AFIC organogram (see below) groups that are historically disadvantaged.
is aligned with this strategic plan and the This leadership is achieved most notably at the
four strategic priorities. Through robust level of the General Assembly and Governing
fundraising, we will generate enough funds to Council, where we aim for gender parity in
fairly remunerate staff, as well as to provide these oversight bodies.
the equipment they need and an open and
conducive working environment.
O ur strategy and
theory of change
are only as good as our
ability to implement.27 - Implementation Implementation - 28
4.2 Monitoring, evaluation, and learning 4.3 Communication
Our monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) approach ensures we track progress toward our Implementing our strategy will require significant communications capacities. Separate from this
goals, collect and use data, document lessons learnt, and share knowledge and best practices with strategic plan, we will develop a robust communications and advocacy plan outlining how we will use
our members and other partners. The system will be an iterative process of monitoring, evaluating, digital as well as traditional media to reach clearly defined stakeholders at local, national, regional, and
learning, adjusting, and adapting. international levels.
Our MEL system has four components: A sample of activities and capacities that will be included in the communications and advocacy plan:
1
We conduct baseline assessments to provide a situational analysis prior to every
program intervention, as well as to gather data that will help the program set realistic External activities
Internal capacities
targets. These assessments also inform learning questions that guide learning
throughout the strategic period. • Monthly newsletter production
• Staff training on digital communications
• Regular update of the website, blog, and and digital security
2
social media feeds
• Communications support to project leads
We develop annual work plans through a participatory process involving AFIC staff,
members, and partners. This also involves conducting feedback surveys, physical review • Generation of media content
meetings, field monitoring, and online consultations. We monitor our progress against • Production of AFIC promotional materials
specific indicators that feed into our overall M&E Plan. Our annual work planning is
informed by an assessment of trends in various indicators to determine whether prior • Featured talk shows on AFIC’s work (radio
assumptions still hold or should be adjusted. Work planning also includes setting or and TV)
adjusting learning questions.
• Regular podcasting
3
• Production of program video infomercials
We hold ourselves accountable for meeting performance indicators, both internally and other visuals
on our teams and by presenting findings at the GC’s annual meetings, so that necessary
adjustments can be made to our work plans. Additionally, before every annual work • Strategic media engagements (print and
planning session, we assess trends in various indicators to determine whether our press)
results framework assumptions still hold. AFIC also collects feedback from partners and
• Documentation, production, and dissemin-
all our stakeholders on performance, relevancy, and needs.
ation of key reports
4
We convene a learning network to serve as a platform for interpreting and
understanding M&E data, lessons, best practices, and success stories. It is composed
of the different working groups (e.g., on Open Contracting or Litigation) as well as
focal persons from government and CSO partners at regional and national levels. The
network is led by our M&EL Coordinator, working closely with the Communications and
Advocacy Officer so that lessons learnt can be shared in communications materials as
program highlights and success stories. The learning network meets twice a year.You can also read
