AfricTivist Summits

The AfricTivist Summits are major pan-African gatherings that bring together activists, journalists, researchers, developers, civil society organisations and digital sector stakeholders to discuss issues relating to democracy, governance, human rights and civic technologies. Described as the largest gathering of actors driving digital civic change in Africa, the Summits provide a framework for African integration and the pooling of expertise across the continent.

Context

Since the first edition held in Dakar in 2015, the AfricTivist Summits have supported the rise of African digital civic movements. From Dakar to Abidjan via Ouagadougou, each edition has reflected a stage in the growing maturity of African civic ecosystems: the structuring of the network in 2015, the expansion of collaborations in 2018, and the affirmation of civic tech initiatives on a continental scale in 2021.

Approach

The Summits are forums for exchange, training, networking and collaborative development, held every two years in a different African city. Each edition combines conferences, practical workshops, training sessions, innovation labs and strategic discussions centred around a key theme. They aim to help organise African citizens’ movements, pool experiences, build regional coalitions and develop shared strategies.