Anti-corruption and compliance efforts to increase investment and growth for SMEs in Africa

In June, Accountability Lab was proud to take a group of inspiring youth activists to the World Bank Group's International Corruption Hunters Alliance 2023 Forum in Ivory Coast. This is part of a series of blogs from those participants.   Written by Simisola Samuel, Afia Poku, Liza Young, and Becky Majani Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal for economic growth and employment. According to the World Bank, SMEs represent about 90% of businesses and provide more than 50% of jobs globally. SMEs contribute over 40% to the national income in emerging economies and attract domestic and foreign investment. This [...]

2023-08-14T12:23:08+00:0011th July 2023|

Gov-HER-Nance: A Feminist Approach to Governance, Accountability, and Climate Justice

Somaya Jalari is a 70-year-old fisherwoman who, like many generations before her, has been fishing and boating on the Phewa Lake all her life. She has seen various changes taking place in Phewa Lake in her lifetime. For instance, the local and indigenous fish species are no longer available in the lake. Consequently, women and men like her who depend on the Lake have to buy new species of hatchlings from their savings and leave them in the water. Furthermore, the water has been heavily polluted by floods, weeds, and plastics which has negatively affected biotic life.  Somaya says, “I [...]

2024-12-11T13:54:19+00:004th July 2023|

#PowerUp – Power cuts exacerbating inequities and deepening the digital divide

#PowerUp is a series of articles honing in on how South Africa’s electricity supply crisis is affecting young people. Written by Jaco Roets and Sara Hoenes Like many young students preparing for exams, Funeka Mpofu spends odd hours studying. However, for Funeka, his inconsistent hours are not by choice. Sweeping power cuts across South Africa are the worst they’ve been in more than two years. The blackouts (locally referred to as load shedding) are hindering the ability of young people to study and apply for jobs. For Funeka, this meant low scores on his college entrance exams, and another year [...]

2023-10-25T09:07:04+00:006th June 2023|

HEDA Partners with AMAC to Promote Open Government Partnership in Nigeria

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has partnered with Abuja Municipal Area Council to engage stakeholders towards Open Government Partnership (OGP), as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance governance and combat corruption in Nigeria. The workshop organised by AMAC with support of HEDA and MacArthur foundation was aimed at raising awareness about the OGP and to develop an action plan to ensure the implementation of the Abuja Municipal Area Council’s (AMAC) OGP commitment. The Open Government Partnership is a multinational initiative aimed at securing tangible commitments from national and sub-national governments to foster open government practices, [...]

2023-05-30T06:41:42+00:0030th May 2023|

Countering fake news major responsibility of youth: experts

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday said countering fake news and disinformation was the prime responsibility of the youth. They showed serious concerns over the rising trend of fake news and urged the government to take immediate steps to tackle the complex issue. They said efforts should also be made to counter misinformation and fake news through educational interventions. The seminar ‘Impact of fake news and disinformation on the upcoming general election in Pakistan’ was organised by a think-tank, Accountability Lab, at Islamic International University Islamabad (IIUI). Speakers included digital media expert Waqas Naeem, Zile Huma, Director Election Commission [...]

2023-06-06T17:56:28+00:0030th May 2023|

ZEC Petitioned Over Exorbitant Candidate Nomination Fees

Seven Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) have petitioned the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), demanding an immediate revision of the exorbitant candidate nomination fees. The nomination fees, as per Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022, currently stand at US$20,000 for presidential candidates, payable in cash or the prevailing official rate equivalent and candidates for Parliament must pay US$1,000, while Proportional Representation party lists for Parliament and Provincial Councils are requested to pay US$100. The CSOs argue that the current fees pose a significant barrier to political participation, particularly for marginalized groups such as young people, women, and persons with disabilities. "We demand that, [...]

2023-05-30T09:34:59+00:0025th May 2023|

GOL, UNDP Launch Growth Accelerator Liberia Phase III Applications

MONROVIA – It was a room filled with optimism and sense of accomplishment when the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Commerce launched phase III of the Growth Accelerator project. The Growth Accelerator Liberia is a business and agricultural cooperative accelerator, targeting impactful and innovative ventures and cooperatives in Liberia. It assists post-revenue businesses and cooperatives in scaling and growing with a combination of co-financing grants, mentorship, and technical assistance. It is a UNDP and Government of Liberia initiative under the Livelihood and Employment Creation project implemented by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. As the third [...]

2023-05-25T09:45:15+00:0025th May 2023|

Greening social accountability for climate finance

Written by Louise Cord, Aly Rahim, Ann-Sofie Jespersen, and Michael Jarvis Global spending on climate change is nearing US$1 trillion annually. To optimize the benefit of these climate investments, transparency, equity, and inclusion must be at the heart of climate finance decision-making. We need green accountability – an approach recognizing that effectively addressing the climate crisis requires harnessing the insights and agency of those most affected by climate impacts. In developing countries where a sevenfold increase in climate finance is needed, green accountability calls for systemic ways for people to have a voice and role in climate decisions that most impact their [...]

2023-05-12T16:20:59+00:0012th May 2023|

Plus de redevabilité pour bâtir un Mali meilleur

Par Zeina Mohamed Ali Récemment AL Mali Lab a organisé une journée de réflexion pour s’approprier la stratégie globale du Lab et dégager une feuille de route pour identifier ce que l’on peut faire pour mieux s'orienter en prenant en compte le contexte  Malien.  En effet, cette journée de réflexion initiée le jeudi 16 février dernier a permis au personnel de AL Mali d'élaborer sa propre stratégie en prenant en compte les grands axes stratégiques déclinés dans la stratégie globale. Cette stratégie nous permettra de structurer nos domaines d’intervention sur les trois prochaines années de 2023 à 2026. Au cours [...]

2023-04-26T08:13:40+00:0025th April 2023|

Nigerian elections are crowded with candidates: use this new tool to decide who to vote for in your area

Eighteen political parties are contesting for Nigeria’s presidential elections scheduled for 25 February. Yes, 18 parties. But that’s not the highest number of parties in Nigeria’s election history. The record was in February 2019, when 73 political parties presented presidential candidates. In the 2023 elections, the Nigerian media have devoted most of their attention to four parties and their candidates. This leaves an information gap about the others. And the presidency is just one position being filled. There are hundreds of other political posts that will be determined. To fill the gaps, a new election tool has been launched which will help voters [...]

2023-03-15T19:44:19+00:0022nd February 2023|
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