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|

Liberian youths urged to be agents of change

Written by Parnneh Mallobe   As Liberians go to the polls in October to elect the president and representatives of the Legislature for the next six years, Accountability Lab Co-CEO, Blair Glencorse, has called on young people to fully participate as "agents for positive change". Speaking to over 60 youth-led civil society and community-based organization leaders and entrepreneurs during an event organized by Accountability Lab Liberia and iCampus in Monrovia, Glencorse said the youth need to focus equally on what happens after the elections, as on the elections themself. “We have to track what the candidates are promising now and [...]

2023-06-20T20:41:32+00:0017th June 2023|

Combating violence against the transgender community in Pakistan

Written by Fouzia Khan Bhittani We live in a world encompassing different beliefs and cultures that generate specific attitudes and stances toward gender diversity. However, these attitudes define the marginalization of a particular community or people, like the transgender community in Pakistan, commonly referred to as the Khawaja Sira—a group of people that includes various forms of gender deviance. Khawaja Sira covers anyone that bends the societal construction of gender, including people who identify as transsexual, choose to cross-dress, identify as true hermaphrodites, are genderqueer youth, intersex people, and eunuchs. The transgender community has gained little visibility in Pakistan, as [...]

2023-06-14T11:53:25+00:0014th June 2023|

Why Accountability Lab is Moving to a Co-Leadership Model

Written by Blair Glencorse I am more and more convinced every day that the traditional, single Executive Director structure in the non-profit sector is a relic of the past. The future of organizational leadership is collective. For an organization like Accountability Lab - that is growing rapidly, adapting constantly and in which our values serve as the basis for our decision-making - it now seems essential. That is why we have recently moved to a three-person co-leadership model, through which I now lead the organization with my colleagues Cheri and Jean (read more about their thoughts on this transition here [...]

2025-01-28T08:27:23+00:0012th June 2023|

Announcing the 2023 International Corruption Hunters Alliance Forum Youth Delegation

Written by Katie Fuhs and Zeina Walet Next month, front-line anti-corruption actors will gather at the Fifth International Corruption Hunters Alliance (ICHA) Forum in Abidjan to share their knowledge and experiences of the challenges, risks, and opportunities for advancing anti-corruption efforts. To ensure a diversity of generational perspectives, the World Bank Group has asked Accountability Lab to put together a youth delegation that will participate and present their ideas at the Forum.  To that end, the Lab is happy to present the 2023 ICHA Youth Delegation. From investigators to creatives, this group of 19 youth delegates from 14 countries across [...]

2023-06-14T07:07:18+00:002nd 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|

The vital role of young people in governance processes

The Citizens Summit in Defense of Democracy and Freedom in Lusaka, Zambia, shed light on a crucial message: the active involvement of young people in governance processes is imperative for Africa's success and prosperity. As echoed by summit participants, including political leaders, civil society representatives, and young activists, the strongest and most consistent takeaway from the event was the recognition that the youth hold the key to Africa's future. Written by Kibo Ngowi   “Young people continue to demand a seat at the table when it comes to discussions on democracy and the future of the continent. It is not [...]

2023-04-30T06:06:11+00:0030th April 2023|
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