Why Access to Information is An Urgent Need in Africa

Access to Information is An Urgent Need in Africa

From the national government to the county and regional rulings, the role of transparency cannot be overemphasized. It is the cornerstone for sustainable growth and inclusive development in every country.

However, in regions where access to information is still a luxury, transparency only remains better on paper than in action. And that has been the case with most African countries.

Out of the 55 African nations, 29 have already passed laws on access to information. Yet, studies show that even with the information laws in place, many have not put effort and resources into their systematic implementation, limiting the potential benefits for citizens and governments. Many of the laws have not been implemented. Yet, AFIC’s experience has proven that when implemented, access to information laws help citizens make informed participation in government policies and programmes, resulting in better service delivery by governments. According to a research article on access to government information trends, nearly half of African countries lack Freedom of Access to Information laws while most of the existing laws have restrictive clauses, hindering citizens from accessing government information.

 

As such, it’s time Africa focuses on ensuring the unhindered free flow of information both online and offline rather than failure to adopt and effectively implement access policies. This article discusses the various ways to promote transparency by enhancing information access in Africa. You will learn the challenges facing information access, the effects of poor access, and ways to promote access to information.

 

Let’s dive in!

How much of Africa has Access to the Internet?

The United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights have stated that the same rights people enjoy offline must equally enjoy them online. Digitalization is one of the critical drivers for promoting access to information online. With the increasing penetration of mobile users, everyone is expected to be able to access the information they need from anywhere, anytime.

Yet, despite the effort to make critical information available to everyone, internet access is still proving to be a significant barrier. By 2022, only 36% of Africa’s population had access to broadband internet.

Additionally, there’s a substantial digital gender gap (34% vs 24% in 2020) between men and women, and the skills divide is undermining Africa’s efforts to achieve internet universality. Such limitations call for a more proactive action towards bridging the existing gaps and ensuring information is accessible to all.

 

Effects of Poor Information Access in Africa

Information is useful when accessible at the time of need and in its completeness. But what if you can’t access the right information at the right time? Or what if you received the right information only to realize some information is missing? That’s what is happening in the majority of African countries. Some have access to information, partially. Others have information which cannot be verified,. And even worse, some cannot access critical information that concerns them and even worse many are denied access on account of absence of access laws.

 

As a result of poor information access, Africa has remained subject to the following effects:

Illicit financial flows (IFFs)

Illicit financial flows include tax abuse, trade mis-invoicing, transnational finance crime, and cross-border corruption. They are some of the topics topping Africa’s headlines, yet end up unresolved due to a lack of qualitative and quantitative data.

Based on a 2020 report (Economic Development in Africa) by the UN Conference, Africa loses around $88.6 billion of its GDP annually on IFFs. With these losses, Africa has suffered in the following dimensions:

• Drainage of resources from sustainable development
• Economic instability
• Self-centered governance
• Damage to public trust
• Fuel instability

These are issues that must be addressed first if Africa must make significant progress towards meeting its 2030 sustainable development goals. Hence, there’s a need for transparent and auditable financial flows from the top government to the varied economic sectors.

 

Bloody civil conflicts

Conflicts dominate in the absence of transparency and accountability. And the public sector suffers the most consequences as far as transparency and accountability are concerned. 

For instance, in Nigeria, Africa’s leading oil producer, has experienced countless conflicts in the Niger Delta, causing death and leaving burning down homes. While the conflicts can be associated with natural resource mismanagement or unbalanced sharing, it’s more of a case of lack of transparency. And so is the case with other countries like the DRC, which are experiencing civil conflicts.

 

At its core, democracy calls for transparency, especially in financing matters. When citizens cannot find relevant information about the usage of funds, they can only guess and develop mistrust towards the government.

Besides, citizens desire to be heard. There should be a way to report cases of corruption, abuse of power, and related issues when they spot them. However, when they can’t find a means to air their grievances or find truth in the execution of projects, it’s easier to revolt against the leadership.

Increasing poverty

Poor access to employment opportunities affects Africa directly and indirectly. From an indirect perspective, citizens wage war against each other, or against the government demanding justice and fairness.

With rivalry, more resources are wasted, and the economic stability of a country is shaken. 

Directly, poor access to information births a generation that cannot access the necessary information for their success. For instance, today, learners can access learning institutions and platforms remotely and grow their skills. They can even work remotely with international organizations and clients with these skills. 

But what happens to the child without access to information on opportunities and the internet to pursue them effectively? Or what benefit is there for the student who has the necessary resources yet is unaware of available opportunities?

Ways to Promote Access to Information in Africa

Undoubtedly, many initiatives, laws, and programs have been implemented to ensure access to information. However, there’s more needed to ensure best practices and adherence to the existing laws. 

Besides, laws alone cannot be enough when enhancing access to information. The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) takes an uncommon path to ensuring transparency and accountability and promoting access to information in Africa.

Among the top 3 strategies include the following:

Embracing digitalization and technological evolution

Digitalization involves automating manual processes through technology. With the increasing adoption of management information systems and intelligent systems utilizing AI, it’s now easier to promote transparency through centralized operations. By embracing technological advancements, the government can account for financial distribution in the varied sectors of the economy. An audit trail for the usage of any funds and execution of projects can also be generated to promote public trust.

 

Essentially, there are endless possibilities for utilizing technology in managing government information. For instance, project managers can provide real-time resource utilization details with tracking and analysis tools. 

Even before a project is initiated, they can project the expenditure for budgeting and help predict its benefits. Also, they can use online surveys to gather information from citizens regarding the feasibility of a project before execution.

Hence, with technology, governments in various countries can promote inclusivity and transparency among their citizens.  However, since some of the technology is unavailable in some regions- and some key population groups lack access to technology and digital skills, the government should also endeavor to:

• Support internet expansion to remote African regions
• Incorporate technological programs, including artificial intelligence, programming, cloud computing, and blockchain technologies, in learning institutions to promote access to these technologies
• Implement privacy laws and policies to ensure ethical use of technology and maintain information integrity
• Promote inclusive access for marginalised women, youth, PWDs and rural populations by digital literacy programmes and access to affordable technologies and internet.

Monitoring treaty compliance and implementation

According to UNESCO, out of the 135 UN member states that have adopted statutory, constitutional, and policy guarantees to offer public access to information, only 24 countries reported best practices in promoting accessibility equality.

Essentially, the challenge has been ensuring the laws are developed and people adopt best practices in executing them. Ensuring compliance means attaching actionable consequences to whoever works against the rules.

However, taking legal action against the lawbreakers calls for understanding what the law requires and creating awareness. And that’s what we are looking into—defining the context and applicability of the law.

For instance, in an attempt to promote inclusivity, gender equality, and transparency, AFIC saw the success of Deepening and Broadening Open Contracting in Africa. 

The project aimed to promote transparency in disclosing contractual information, including public participation, value for money, and contract efficiency. For the women-led businesses in Uganda, the report covered:

• Understanding what women-led businesses imply in Uganda
• Identifying the opportunities and barriers in the procurement process
• Digging into the examples of experiences and best practices on women in businesses
• Identifying gaps to bridge and recommending improvements

With such accountability and transparency programs, it’s easier to ensure compliance to treaties and best practices in their implementation.

Ensuring continental and global advocacy

We mentioned the digital gender divide as one of the notable barriers to effectively accessing information. Consider this: How many women can access information concerning their rights and efficacy? While accessing and understanding their rights is crucial to their development, not all women have benefited. The relevance of such rights is merely recognized and promoted by those who legislate women’s rights. AFIC considers global advocacy a pivotal driver to ensuring public accountability, participation in governance, and informed expression. 

By creating awareness of access rights and how to access such information, women can better understand their rights and rise to defend them in the face of compromising circumstances. Although various women’s initiatives have incorporated access to information in their advocacy, there’s a minimal effort geared toward lobbying for the Freedom of Information Bill.

 

AFIC  has created programs at the national level for women to exchange information and share their experiences and opinions on how well their rights have been observed and respected. At the regional level, AFIC looks forward to women’s initiatives rising to push for the development and execution of the Freedom for Information Bill.

The goal is to ensure that not only women but everyone is aware of their rights to information and take necessary actions at all levels.

Conclusion

With the right information, citizens can always question the government on health, education, and resource distribution. It’s with information transparency and accountability are nurtured, and trust is promoted.

As many African civil organizations, researchers, and enthusiasts venture into promoting access to information, it’s prudent to combine efforts toward an informed Africa. Besides, with information data-driven decisions are made. At AFIC, we are open to collaboration, learning from each other, and executing combined efforts to ensure the right information is accessible to the right people at the right time. Hence, if you share our values and objectives and would like to join the 51+ civil society organizations, we invite you to become a member.