The Ford Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and Open Society Foundations have launched a $20 million West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF) to reimagine, renew and strengthen democracy across the region. The fund, targeted at supporting West African states currently facing various democratic challenges, will, over a period of three years, support activities to increase citizens’ engagement with democratic and political transitions in the respective countries.

Darren Walker, President of Ford Foundation stated, “I am grateful for the collaboration of our philanthropic, civil society, and government partners, as we launch the West Africa Democracy Fund, which follows the lead of the people of West Africa as they work to strengthen the foundations of democracy and build a more resilient future.”

“Research has shown the inextricable link between the rising decline of democracy across West Africa and rising inequality, therefore these issues must be addressed simultaneously. Greater citizen participation in democratic processes is needed to fully realize a peaceful, inclusive democracy that empowers citizens to build a society that is more just, and that contributes to greater prosperity and stable economy.”

“As an organization focused on the advancement of social justice, the Ford Foundation is matching our commitment with action with this Fund, which we envision will propel our collective efforts in expanding democratic and civic spaces for citizens’ voices to be included in defining the norms for the governance of their countries,” Walker added.

“In West Africa, the demand for democracy is not matched by the supply of democracy. Opposition to military rule has weakened across the continent, and citizens bear the brunt of abuses of power by ruling classes,” said Dr. Kole Shettima, Director, Nigeria Office of the MacArthur Foundation. “The new Democracy Fund will support the realization of aspirations of West Africans for ‘democracy dividends’ and a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.”

Brian Kagoro, Managing Director of Programs at the Open Society Foundations, stated, “Democracy in West Africa is an ideal embedded in the traditions and cultures of the people. It is an aspiration ingrained in the vision of the young people. The fight for a more democratic West Africa is a fight for a West Africa that is free from imperial domination, neo-colonial political mortgaging, and external manipulation. True democracy in West Africa requires governments that are accountable to their citizens and systems that deliver equitable outcomes for all. The democracy fund provides an opportunity to leverage the current momentum for democratic advancement in the region.” 

According to Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director, Ford Foundation Office of West Africa (OWA), “It is important to emphasize that the West Africa Democracy Fund is the result of deep engagement and listening across the region with local leaders and Civil Society Organizations. Therefore, the solutions we seek through this Fund will be homegrown, rooted in the needs and aspirations of the people of the sub-region and driven by the people themselves” she concluded.

Through grantmaking to national consortia, the Fund will support activities that promote a more inclusive approach to democracy including multi-stakeholder dialogues, regional engagements with the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, joint learning and the strengthening of key state institutions, including the judiciary. Luminate is focusing its contributions on supporting tech accountability efforts.