About Us

The Africa Governors and Sub-national Governance Forum is a platform established to enhance governance practices and facilitate economic growth and development at subnational levels across Africa. It serves as a forum for governors, regional leaders, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders to come together and exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in subnational governance.

The primary objective of the Africa Governors and Sub-national Governance Forum is to promote effective governance and accountability, which are crucial for sustainable development at the subnational level. By sharing experiences and lessons learned, participating governors and leaders gain valuable insights into successful strategies and policies that can be implemented within their respective regions.

One of the key focuses of the forum is to improve the capacity of subnational governments by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and training. This includes strengthening their institutional frameworks, enhancing financial management capabilities, fostering cooperation between different levels of government, and promoting citizen participation in decision-making processes.
Furthermore, the Africa Governors and Sub-national Governance Forum aims to address challenges faced by subnational governments, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to capital, and high levels of poverty. Through knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts, the forum seeks to identify innovative solutions and initiatives that can be implemented to overcome these obstacles and foster economic growth at the local level.

Importantly, the forum also promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences between African subnational governments and their international counterparts, enabling participants to draw from global best practices that can be adapted to the African context.

In summary, the Africa Governors and Sub-national Governance Forum serves as a vital platform for governors, regional leaders, and policymakers to collaborate, learn from one another, and enhance governance practices at the subnational level. By focusing on effective governance, accountability, capacity building, and tackling the challenges faced by local governments, the forum contributes to the overall development and economic growth of Africa.

What We Stand For

Our Vision

To promote inclusive, effective, and accountable governance at the sub-national level in Africa, enabling the sustainable development and progress of diverse regions.

Our Mission

  • Facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among African governors and sub-national leaders.

  • Advocate for greater decentralization and empowerment of sub-national governments in Africa.

  • Foster regional cooperation and partnerships to address common challenges and harness collective opportunities.

  • Support capacity building and skills development of sub-national leaders to enhance their effectiveness in governance and service delivery.

  • Promote transparency, accountability, and good governance practices at the sub-national level in Africa.

Aims and Objectives

  • Inclusivity: Embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs of sub-national governments and ensure their meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

  • Collaboration: Encourage cooperation, partnerships, and learning across sub-national entities to achieve common goals and enhance regional development.

  • Integrity: Foster transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in sub-national governance.

  • Empowerment: Support the decentralization of power and resources to sub-national governments to enable them to address local needs and drive sustainable development.

  • Resilience: Advocate for adaptive governance approaches that can respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities at the sub-national level.

Governance System

General Assembly

The supreme decision-making body of the Forum, comprising all member Governors and their equivalents in Africa, meets annually to discuss and make key policy decisions regarding sub-national governance, and also elects the Executive Committee members.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is elected by the General Assembly, provides strategic guidance, oversees Forum activities, and implements decisions on sub-national governance. Meeting regularly, it reports progress to the General Assembly.

Chairperson

The Chairperson, elected from the Executive Committee, offers overall leadership, represents the Forum, and facilitates General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings. Additionally, the Chairperson engages in external partnerships on behalf of the Forum.

Secretariat

Led by an Executive Secretary, the support arm facilitates Forum operations, coordinates activities, and provides research and technical assistance, maintaining a database of governance resources relevant to sub-national governance in Africa.

Technical Working Groups

Expert panels, based on priority themes by the General Assembly and Executive Committee, consist of specialists in sub-national governance. They research, develop guidelines, and collaborate to enhance governance with technical expertise.

Regional Representatives

Expert panels, established on priority themes by the General Assembly and Executive Committee, consist of sub-national governance specialists. They conduct research, develop guidelines, and collaborate with stakeholders, offering technical expertise and support to enhance governance.