Exploring How Civic Technologies are Contributing to Governance in Nigeria and South Africa

Abstract

This research paper explores the African civic technology (‘civic tech’) ecosystem, with specific reference to its contribution to governance in Nigeria and South Africa. The research was informed by a qualitative methodology that used a comparative descriptive and explanatory case studies approach. Drawing on the African civic tech database and expert interviews, the study examined the drivers that influence the development of civic tech, its contribution to governance, and approaches to addressing challenges in the civic tech ecosystems in the two case study countries. The paper finds that in both countries, civic tech is driven by many variables, such as the proliferation of digital technologies, failing government systems, and international agendas. However, the foundations of most civic tech organisations are linked to governance issues experienced by both countries. Therefore, civic tech is often a result of the increased demand to strengthen the voice and capacity of citizens to engage and participate in governance issues that affect them directly. The findings suggest that civic tech influences governance in various areas, including indirectly and directly influencing innovation in government departments, opening up data, and leading to more transparency about government activities and governance challenges. The study found that civic tech has significantly transformed how citizens participate in decision-making and engage with the government, accentuating citizens’ voices on issues that affect them. The study concluded that civic tech has emerged as a social accountability mechanism as it plays a fundamental role in creating channels for citizens and other non-governmental actors to participate in governance. However, while civic tech is improving governance, the research concluded that it remains challenging to measure its influence due to how civic tech is constructed, adopted, and used. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the civic tech field to establish and streamline institutional monitoring and evaluation. This would enable the field to combine efforts and create a synergy where civic tech impact measurement is concerned.