Lusaka, Zambia – The African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) has released its inaugural State of Citizens’ Engagement Report 2024, highlighting both progress and persistent gaps in the Union’s drive to build “a people-driven Africa” as outlined in Agenda 2063.
The report, adopted as a flagship initiative by the AU’s African Governance Platform in 2023, provides the first baseline assessment of how African citizens are engaging with AU institutions and processes. Drawing on input from over 200 civil society organisations (CSOs), AU organs, and regional economic communities, the study reveals a mixed picture: while new spaces for participation have emerged, awareness, access, and influence remain uneven across the continent.
Key Findings
The study found that limited public awareness of AU processes, language barriers, and poor access to information hinder citizen participation. Digital platforms have opened opportunities for broader outreach, but connectivity gaps and cyber risks continue to exclude many. CSOs remain the main bridge between citizens and AU institutions, yet they face resource constraints and a lack of formalised engagement pathways. Youth and women—despite policy commitments—still struggle for meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes.
The report also points to weak feedback mechanisms, with citizens rarely informed about how their input shapes AU policies, and calls for institutional reforms to embed participation in all stages of policymaking, monitoring, and evaluation.
Recommendations
To address these challenges, ECOSOCC urges the AU, member states, and partners to:
- Strengthen and diversify AU-citizen communication channels, including use of local languages;
- Formalise CSO engagement frameworks;
- Mainstream youth, women, and marginalised groups into policy processes;
- Invest in affordable internet access, digital literacy, and online civic space protections;
- Establish clear feedback loops on citizen contributions; and
- Build the capacity of civil society to engage effectively at continental and regional levels.
A Call for Action
Head of the ECOSOCC Secretariat, William Carew, said the report is intended as a “technical blueprint” for more inclusive governance. “The strength and legitimacy of our Union depend on its ability to engage, empower, and be accountable to its people,” he noted.
With the AU’s mid-term review of Agenda 2063 set for 2026, the report challenges the Union and its stakeholders to turn principles of participation into practice—ensuring that citizens are not just consulted, but are active co-creators in Africa’s development journey.
Source: Clement Akoloh
