African Citizens Watch (ACW) is an independent platform dedicated to monitoring and evaluating the performance of African governments concerning the pledges made during election campaigns, published manifestos, and key policy pronouncements. Currently, ACW tracks the activities of governments in Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This module will introduce you to the platform and show you how to navigate the platform.
By fostering accountability and providing accessible, evidence-based insights, African Citizens Watch empowers citizens to engage actively in governance processes and hold their leaders to account.
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this module, participants should be able to:
- Navigate African Citizens Watch
Let’s Get Started
The African Citizens Watch initiative was established in 2018 by SIVIO Institute during the Zimbabwe elections to monitor the ruling party’s fulfillment of electoral promises. Since then, the platform has expanded to include Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Botswana. This initiative aims not only to track political promises but also to provide real-time monitoring of citizens’ experiences and governmental performance across the participating countries. It emphasises the importance of evidence-based data to hold governments accountable. The initiative raises awareness about governmental achievements and challenges, pushing for active civic engagement and demanding that governments provide essential services and uphold human rights. The platform aims to expand its operations to cover more African regions and contribute to broader dialogues on governance and democracy at continental and regional levels.
History of the Platform
The African Citizens Watch platform has evolved into a vital tool for promoting government accountability across the continent. Its journey began in Zimbabwe in 2018 with the launch of ZIMCITIZENSWATCH, following the election of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the August elections. President Mnangagwa’s declaration that “the voice of the people is the voice of God” set the tone for a new era of citizen engagement. The platform’s team meticulously documented 248 promises from the ZANU PF manifesto and initiated a robust tracking system to monitor tangible policy actions aligned with these commitments. Annual assessment reports provided a transparent evaluation of the government’s progress, fostering a culture of accountability.
In 2022, the platform expanded its reach to Zambia and Malawi, marking a significant milestone in its mission. The team sourced the winning manifestos of the Malawi Congress Party and Zambia’s United Party for National Development (UPND), applying the same rigorous tracking methodology to assess the performance and effectiveness of these governments.
By 2024, the African Citizens Watch platform extended its operations to South Africa, following the elections that resulted in a Government of National Unity (GNU). The platform now monitors promises outlined in South Africa’s Mid-Term Development Plan. In 2025, Botswana was added, further solidifying its role as a continental beacon for accountability and citizen empowerment.
This history underscores the platform’s commitment to ensuring that governments remain answerable to their citizens, fostering transparency and trust across African democracies.
Lessons Learnt
African Citizens Watch has offered several key lessons on governance, policy development, and civic engagement.
Firstly, while manifestos remain a critical tool for political candidates, they require continuous refinement to maximise their impact. A well-crafted manifesto provides a foundation for accountability and collaboration between those seeking office and the electorate. However, the development and assessment of these documents should involve co-creation between political parties and citizens. By working together in shaping and evaluating these commitments, both groups can ensure that policies reflect the needs of the people and remain adaptable to evolving socio-economic conditions.
Another important lesson is the necessity of long-term policy consistency. Addressing complex societal challenges—often referred to as “wicked problems”—requires sustained commitment and political will. Quick fixes are rarely effective, and meaningful change unfolds over extended periods. Policymakers must therefore remain steadfast in their vision, ensuring that policies are implemented with continuity, even as leadership transitions occur.
Policy autonomy is equally vital for national progress. Countries must have the freedom to design and implement policies suited to their unique contexts and local needs. While external influences and global trends may provide guidance, policies should ultimately be tailored to the realities of the nation’s socio-economic landscape. This autonomy empowers governments to craft solutions that effectively address domestic challenges rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches.
Finally, trust plays a fundamental role in governance and policy effectiveness. Access to data and information is a cornerstone of building trust between citizens and their governments. Transparent policymaking, implementation, and evaluation processes foster confidence in leadership and encourage civic participation. When people feel informed and included, they are more likely to support and engage with policies aimed at national development.
These lessons highlight the importance of collaboration, long-term commitment, independence in policymaking, and trust in governance—critical elements for strengthening democratic processes and achieving sustainable development.
Summary
- Origins in Zimbabwe: Launched in 2018 to monitor electoral promises.
- Regional Expansion: Expanded to include Zambia and Malawi through civic technology support.
- Data-Driven Accountability: Focuses on using data to track government performance and promises.
- Citizen Engagement: Aims to foster debate and interest among citizens regarding government accountability.
- Need for Platforms: Addresses the lack of accessible information regarding governance and citizen rights.
Key Insights
📈 Importance of Tracking Performance: By monitoring promises made by political parties, African Citizens Watch illustrates the gap between governmental pledges and actual performance, fostering transparency and accountability that can lead to improved governance.
🌐 Civic Tech’s Role in Governance: The use of technology to gather and disseminate data enhances citizen engagement, providing communities with the tools to critique and engage with governmental functions effectively.
🔍 Simplified Access to Information: African Citizens Watch simplifies complex governmental data, empowering ordinary citizens to understand and track legislative actions and public service delivery, which historically have been challenging to access.
🤝 Community-Based Involvement: The platform encourages civil society and community organizations to actively partake in governance discussions, promoting a culture of accountability and civic responsibility.
📣 Demanding Accountability: The initiative emphasises that mere access to information is insufficient; citizens must actively utilise this information to hold governments accountable and advocate for their rights.
📅 Scalability of the Initiative: With aspirations to cover more countries, African Citizens Watch demonstrates a sustainable model for monitoring democracy that could potentially reshape how governance is viewed in Africa.
🌍 Impact at Regional and Continental Levels: The initiative not only seeks to improve local governance but also contributes data and insights to broader continental governance frameworks, such as those overseen by the African Union, promoting a unified approach to democracy across nations.
In the context of emerging democracies in Africa, African Citizens Watch serves as a critical tool for enhancing transparency and accountability, encouraging citizen participation and creating a pathway for more informed citizenry. As the platform grows, it aims to empower more people across the continent to engage with their governments and demand better services and rights.