From May 21 to 22, 2024, the final phase of the #Innov4Democracy hackathon was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Its theme was “Innovating for democracy and good governance in Africa.” At the end of the suspense, the Isika project from Madagascar won the competition after the finalists' pitches in front of a jury made up of experts in technological innovation, communication, economic intelligence and democratic governance.

The opening ceremony, which saw the participation of the national and continental Civic Tech community, was chaired by Madam Abibata Tientega Barry, Constitutional Officer at the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Commission on African Union (AU), by Mr. Cyriac Gbogou, Vice-President of AfricTivistes , Ms. Aisha Dabo, Programs Coordinator at AfricTivistes and Mr. Abdou Aziz Cissé, Hackathon Coordinator.

In the space of two days, the Ivorian capital was the place to be to meet those who promote democratic values ​​through civic tech to be recognized and celebrated at their true value. In his welcome speech, the vice-president of AfricTivistes, Cyriac Gbogou, declaimed like a slammer, the presence of a panoply of people dedicated to the cause of democracy in Africa in the country of the Ebrié lagoon: “Your Your presence here demonstrates your commitment to promoting democracy and good governance on our continent.”

Mr. Gbogou continued by addressing the finalists “to these young people, we say your creativity, your commitment and your innovations are assets likely to promote citizen participation, access to public information and accountability of powers public.”

To magnify the AfricTivistes initiative to bring together innovators for democracy, Ms. Barry returned to the need for collaboration between States and civil society to “promote regular and responsible use of digital tools for good governance. But also to promote the numerous projects developed and implemented on the continent which strengthen citizen participation.”

Following Ms. Barry, Abdou Aziz Cissé returned to the activities of AfricTivistes within the framework of the Charter Project Africa , the consortium in which this competition is implemented. To close the opening ceremony, the five finalists also presented their technological solutions to the audience.

This meeting was also the moment to continue the discussion over the two days on themes as varied as they are complementary: Civic Tech and Democratic Governance in Africa, the Emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Elections in Africa and the Legal framework for the practice of Civic Tech in Africa.

The first panel dedicated to the impact of Civic Tech on Democratic Governance in Africa allowed speakers such as Mr. Sedrick N'gotta, digital activist, to take stock of the successes of digital innovations in Côte d'Ivoire. As for Ms. Barry, she drew up a table of the initiatives of the AU which according to her “supports creators because it believes in youth and its potential in accordance with Agenda 2063 which recommends putting young people at the heart public policies.”

Then, the second panel allowed the mostly novice audience to have a better understanding of the benefits and risks of using AI in electoral processes. The speakers also took advantage of this agora to call for inclusive dialogue between governments and civil society on the responsible use of AI which must contribute to the transparency of electoral processes and not corrupt them.

Finally, the third and final theme made it possible to evaluate the current laws and regulations that govern civic tech in Africa, by identifying the gaps and challenges. It also facilitated the often non-existent exchange between public, state and non-state actors (CSOs, NGOs, etc.) to see how together they can promote a legal framework favorable to creators. It was also the place to make recommendations for improving the existing legal framework to better support and regulate technological initiatives on the continent.

As for the hackathon itself, the finalists who came from Madagascar, Senegal, Chad, the Republic of Guinea and Benin, had the chance to spend two days marked by a collaborative, family and friendly atmosphere for perfect their solutions with the support of eminent experts from the continent and beyond.

After the phases of call for applications, preselection, public vote and jury vote and after a pitch, it was the Isika project from Madagascar led by Lova Mahanina Andrianantenaina which won the approval of the jury composed of M Mamadou Diagne, Data scientist, Mr. Israel Guebo, entrepreneur, media and communications man, Ms. Vanessa Djakeaux, entrepreneurship coach and Mr. Arsène Konan, specialist in democratic governance and electoral processes. The projects were classified as follows by the hackathon jury:

• 1: Isika : A digital platform for citizen participation in Madagascar, encouraging the engagement and participation of citizens in the decision-making process at the local level.
• 2: CitizenSN : An intelligent legal guide in Senegal simplifying citizens' access to instant answers on their rights thanks to a chatbot powered by Artificial Intelligence.
• 3: Ratoma Tech : A digital platform aimed at facilitating access for citizens of the municipality of Ratoma (Republic of Guinea) to public information related to the management of their municipality, thus promoting transparency through the centralization of data.
• 4: Nidoroualmewaafe : An initiative allowing authorities to respond to the needs expressed by citizens on the platform to find solutions to the primary social needs of populations in Chad.
• 5: Clic Citoyen : A digital platform cataloging quasi-judicial institutions in Benin and allowing citizens to quickly contact them in the event of rights violations, corruption or other anti-social acts.

All of these innovations have the ultimate goal of strengthening increased citizen participation and active involvement in democratic processes. They can then improve transparency and administrative efficiency and reduce bureaucratic delays. To close this celebration of innovation in apotheosis, the program coordinator of AfricTivistes, Aisha Dabo, wanted to thank the public for their presence during these two days to support these creative minds. At the same time, she encouraged the finalists “Never minimize your initiatives” she advises them.

Echoing the words of the program coordinator, Ms. Barry also congratulated the finalists and urged them to persevere on this path “Africa is 55 States and you came out with 26 projects so you can be proud from you."

As a reminder, AfricTivistes received twenty-six (26) projects, project ideas and prototypes from nine (9) African countries and five (5) were selected for the final of this competition. Beyond the financial support of €5,000 per finalist, the holders of technological solutions will benefit from four (4) months of mentoring from AfricTivistes and its technical partners. By organizing this competition, AfricTivistes renews its commitment to promoting the use of digital technologies as appropriate tools to overcome the obstacles that citizens face in their quest for democratic expression in Africa.

About AfricTivistes

AfricTivistes is a pan-African organization based in Dakar. It brings together bloggers, web activists and change actors from across the continent to promote and defend democratic values, human rights and good governance through digital technology.

Launched in November 2015, AfricTivistes is a sentinel of democracy in all African countries. As such, she is determined to intervene directly or advocate to involve actors in the various processes of political and social change. She leads and pilots development and citizen involvement projects in democratic systems.

Furthermore, AfricTivistes develops strategies aimed at monitoring and having political leaders monitored in their actions and in the realization of their actions and in the fulfillment of their promises to encourage transparency and good governance. It is a showcase of enhanced citizenship in Africa.