Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation | Catalyzing Africa's Economic Transformation

The Governance Landscape in Central Africa: Actors, Authority, and Accountability
2026-11-24 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom Online
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM (WAT)
Venue: Zoom Online (Register now)
Background and Rationale
Governance outcomes in Central Africa are shaped by a complex ecosystem of actors that extend well beyond formal state institutions. Executive power, security establishments, political parties, traditional authorities, business elites, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and external partners all influence how authority is exercised and how public decisions are made. Understanding this governance landscape is essential for advancing democratic accountability, policy reform, and inclusive development in the region.
Across Central Africa, highly centralized political systems coexist with informal power structures and weak accountability mechanisms. While constitutions and legal frameworks often articulate principles of separation of powers and citizen oversight, the practical operation of governance frequently reflects asymmetries of power, limited institutional checks, and constrained civic space. These dynamics affect public service delivery, economic management, security governance, and public trust in state institutions.
For think tanks, civil society actors, development partners, and reform-minded policymakers, engaging effectively in this environment requires a clear understanding of who holds authority, how decisions are influenced, and where leverage points for accountability and reform exist. This webinar seeks to unpack these dynamics by examining governance actors, formal and informal power relationships, and accountability pathways across Central Africa.
Objectives of the Webinar
The webinar aims to:

Map key actors shaping governance and decision-making in Central Africa.
Examine how authority is exercised across formal institutions and informal power networks.
Analyze the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms, including parliaments, courts, civil society, and the media.
Identify leverage points for strengthening governance reform and policy influence.
Foster informed dialogue among policymakers, researchers, civil society, and development partners.

Target Audience

Policymakers and public officials
Think tank researchers and analysts
Civil society and advocacy organizations
Development partners and donors
Academics, students, and media professionals
Practitioners interested in governance reform and policy influence

Expected Outcomes
By the end of the webinar, participants are expected to:

Gain a clearer understanding of governance actors and power dynamics in Central Africa.
Identify gaps and opportunities in accountability mechanisms.
Develop more informed strategies for policy engagement and reform advocacy.
Strengthen networks among governance actors across the region.
Contribute to Nkafu’s broader work on governance, democracy, and policy uptake in Central Africa.

About the Nkafu Policy Institute
The Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation is a leading independent African policy research institution with vision to accelerate Africa’s Economic Transformation. It drives Africa’s prosperity through evidence-informed policymaking, enabling all citizens to thrive in free, fair, democratic, and flourishing economies. Through rigorous analysis, high-impact publications, and inclusive dialogue, Nkafu promotes practical reforms that strengthen governance and enhance Africa’s development trajectory.
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Bridging the Digital Divide – Technology, AI and the Future of Work in Central Africa
2026-12-02 15:00 - 16:00
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM (WAT)
Venue: Zoom Online (Register now)
Background and Rationale
Digital technologies—and increasingly artificial intelligence (AI)—are transforming labor markets worldwide. Automation, machine learning, digital platforms, and data-driven systems are reshaping how work is organized, which skills are demanded, and how productivity gains are distributed. For many economies, these technologies are becoming central to competitiveness, innovation, and long-term growth.
In Central Africa, the potential of digitalization and AI remains unevenly realized. While mobile technologies and digital services have expanded, especially in urban centers, deep digital divides persist across geography, gender, education levels, and firm size. Limited broadband infrastructure, high connectivity costs, weak digital ecosystems, and gaps in advanced digital and AI-related skills constrain the region’s ability to fully participate in the digital economy.
The rapid emergence of AI raises both opportunities and risks for Central Africa’s labor markets. On one hand, AI-enabled tools can improve productivity, enable new forms of work, support entrepreneurship, and expand access to markets and services. On the other hand, without deliberate policy choices, AI and automation risk reinforcing informality, displacing vulnerable workers, and widening inequalities between those with digital skills and those without.
These dynamics are unfolding amid high youth unemployment, rapid demographic growth, and a labor market dominated by informality. The central policy challenge is therefore not whether technology and AI will shape the future of work in Central Africa—but how governments, the private sector, and development partners can ensure that this transformation is inclusive, job-creating, and aligned with decent work principles.
This webinar will provide a platform for evidence-informed dialogue on how Central Africa can bridge digital divides, build AI-ready skills, and harness technology to support productive employment and shared prosperity.
Objectives of the Webinar
The webinar aims to:

Examine the nature of digital and AI-related divides in Central Africa and their implications for work.
Assess how digital technologies and AI are reshaping employment, productivity, and informality.
Explore the risks and opportunities of AI adoption for youth and women in the labor market.
Identify policy, regulatory, and investment priorities to support inclusive digital and AI-driven economies.
Promote dialogue on aligning technology and AI strategies with skills development and decent work.

Target Audience

Policymakers and regulators
Technology firms and private-sector leaders
Development partners and donors
Think tank researchers and academics
Civil society organizations
Youth, students, and workforce development practitioners

Expected Outcomes
By the end of the webinar, participants are expected to:

Gain a clearer understanding of how technology and AI are shaping the future of work in Central Africa.
Identify key digital and AI-related barriers to inclusive employment.
Understand priority policy and investment actions needed to bridge digital divides.
Strengthen networks among stakeholders working on digitalization, AI, and jobs.
Contribute to evidence-informed policy dialogue on inclusive digital and AI transitions.

About the Nkafu Policy Institute
The Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation is a leading independent African policy research institution with vision to accelerate Africa’s Economic Transformation. It drives Africa’s prosperity through evidence-informed policymaking, enabling all citizens to thrive in free, fair, democratic, and flourishing economies. Through rigorous analysis, high-impact publications, and inclusive dialogue, Nkafu promotes practical reforms that strengthen governance and enhance Africa’s development trajectory.
REGISTER NOW
