Safeguarding Electoral Integrity: Defending Those Who Watch the Vote.
Protecting Citizen Election Observers and Civic Space Across Africa
54
African Countries
1000+
Election Observers
23
Reports Published
35+
Partner Organizations
Our Mission
AfEONet’s mission is to promote democratic elections and strengthen electoral integrity across Africa through research, documentation, monitoring, and advocacy.
At the heart of our mission is the protection and advancement of citizen election observation as an essential component of democratic governance. We seek to establish a robust, evidence-based monitoring framework that tracks the operating environment for citizen observers, identifies emerging threats and restrictions, and documents instances where their rights, independence, or ability to observe elections are undermined.
Citizen election observers are increasingly recognized as human rights defenders, playing an indispensable role in protecting civil and political rights, promoting transparency and accountability, and strengthening democratic values and principles. AfEONet therefore works to ensure that citizen observers can operate safely, independently, credibly, and without undue interference throughout the electoral cycle.
Citizen observers monitoring elections in Africa
Overview of Civic Space in Africa
Explore the current state of civic space for election observers across the continent.
30 / 49 countries assessed — 19 pending
Civic Space Status in Africa
Average Scores — 8 Dimensions (dashboard.countriesCount)
Global composite: 5.3/10
Country Rankings (2025)
| # | Country | Region | Status | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Botswana | Southern Africa | Open/Free | 9 |
| 2 | Somaliland | East Africa | Restricted | 8 |
| 3 | South Africa | Southern Africa | Restricted | 8 |
| 4 | Kenya | East Africa | Restricted | 7.5 |
| 5 | Liberia | West Africa | Restricted | 7 |
| 6 | Tunisia | North Africa | Obstructed | 6.5 |
| 7 | Ghana | West Africa | Obstructed | 6.5 |
| 8 | Zambia | Southern Africa | Obstructed | 6 |
| 9 | Nigeria | West Africa | Obstructed | 5.5 |
| 10 | Côte d'Ivoire | West Africa | Obstructed | 5.5 |
Key Features
Discover how AfEONet helps you understand and improve civic space.
Data Visualization
Explore civic space data through interactive visualizations and maps.
Detailed Reports
Access comprehensive reports on the state of civic space in different African countries.
Observer Network
Join a network of citizen observers dedicated to monitoring and improving civic space.
Submit Data
Contribute to our database by submitting your observations on civic space in your country.
Submit NowLatest News
Stay updated with the latest developments, reports, and activities from AfEONet
From Diagnosis to Action: Defending Electoral Integrity in Africa, Accra, Ghana — September 2026
The Third Electoral Integrity in Africa Summit in Accra brought together citizen election observers, civil society, electoral management bodies, regional institutions and other stakeholders under the theme “Money, Technology & Civic Rights: Defending Electoral Integrity in Africa.” The discussions made clear that electoral integrity extends far beyond election day. It depends on the political, financial, institutional, civic and digital conditions in which citizens exercise their democratic rights.
Nigeria: Digital Transparency Transforming Election Observation in a Constrained Civic Space
Tanzania: State-Managed Civic Space Constraining Election Observation
Uganda: Increasingly Repressed Civic Space for Election Observation
Join us in this mission
Contribute to monitoring civic space and help strengthen democracy in Africa. Together, we can make a difference in promoting transparent and fair elections across the continent.
Our Impact Across Africa
AfEONet has been working tirelessly to monitor and improve civic space for election observers across Africa. Our network spans the continent, providing crucial data and insights that help strengthen democratic processes.
Improved Observer Protection
Enhanced safety protocols and advocacy for observer rights.
Data-Driven Advocacy
Evidence-based approach to improving civic space policies.
Capacity Building
Training and resources for observer organizations across the continent.
Partners
Co-funded by the European Union
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.