Sub-Saharan Africa Program
ICNL works with partners across 26 countries in Africa to advance civic freedoms, encourage public participation and philanthropy, and support civil society in the face of threats.
Our partners include civil society leaders, activists, government officials, lawyers, media workers, and academics. Together, we have helped develop progressive norms that expand civic space throughout the region.
Be sure to browse our Focus Areas, Country Overviews, and Key Resources.
Our Impact in the Region
2024 in Numbers
Countries where we worked:
26
Partners that received ICNL assistance:
2,986
ICNL knowledge products produced and disseminated:
121
BUILDING A BETTER DIGITAL FUTURE
Since 2020, at least 15 countries in Africa have introduced or enacted laws restricting civic freedoms online. To help civil society push back, ICNL and its partner CIPESA helped create Digital Rights Alliance Africa, which brings together experts to champion digital civic space.
BOLSTERING DATA PROTECTION IN AFRICA
In Tanzania, our partner JamiiForums drafted a model bill on data protection with technical assistance from ICNL. That bill served as the basis for Tanzania’s first ever data protection law, passed in May 2023.
Recent Highlights
ICNL helps Malawi CSOs Launch New Coalition to Monitor FATF Implementation
Over 20 civil society organizations in Malawi have established a new coalition to monitor implementation of Financial Action Task Force measures in the country’s nonprofit sector, thanks in part to assistance from ICNL. Read more about the work the coalition has planned as Malawi operationalizes its first-ever NPO Sector Risk Assessment.
ICNL Comments on ACHPR Study of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Africa
ICNL has submitted joint comments on a recent African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) draft study examining the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on human rights. The submission was prepared in collaboration with Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA), and are available here.
Five Things to Know: Zambia’s Cyber Crimes Act and Cyber Security Act
In April 2025, Zambia’s Parliament enacted two laws that could undermine online freedom of expression in Zambia: the Cyber Crimes Act, 2025, and the Cyber Security Act, 2025. ICNL has prepared two short briefers that summarize five important things to know about each Act. Read more here.
Resource Resiliency: Forging Ahead in a Fragile Development Assistance Environment
In March, ICNL convened 50 civil society leaders from 17 countries in Africa to discuss growing concerns about shrinking funding and increasingly restrictive environments. Participants also exchanged ideas on innovative ways to ensure the sector’s sustainability.
Ninety-two percent of participants said they were affected by recent US cuts to development assistance. But many expressed hope that they could fill some of this gap by diversifying funding streams beyond traditional donor grants. Promising models include social enterprise, private sector partnerships, digital fundraising, and more. For more information on the meeting outcomes and our work in the region, please contact us at africa@icnl.org.
Practical Guide to Zimbabwe’s PVO Act (2025 Amendments)
This practical guide helps civil society organizations in Zimbabwe navigate recent changes to the Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Act, which governs all PVOs in Zimbabwe. Amendments to the law came into effect in April 2025. The guide describes eight actions PVOs can take to strengthen their resiliency to continue operating under the law.
What We Do
Creating environments where civil society can flourish
ICNL works with civil society and governments to promote legal frameworks that protect the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression.
We track and analyze legislation across Africa, support stakeholder convenings and learning initiatives, and produce tools to aid legal implementation, compliance, and advocacy.
Enhancing digital inclusion and internet freedoms
Civic space is just as important online as it is in the physical world. We work to ensure that the regulation and use of digital technologies respects and protects civic freedoms.
Countering the ‘securitization’ of civic space
States have a legitimate interest in fighting terrorism and money laundering, but their efforts should not degrade civic freedoms.
We work with partners to shape effective standards that do not over-regulate the non-profit sector, such as the contribution to positive revisions of the Financial Action Task Force’s standards for regulating non-profits.
Strengthening public participation
Meaningful participation in decision-making is a crucial component of civic space.
ICNL supports its partners in advocating for accessible and inclusive public participation, such as in Kenya, where the Kisumu County government recently adopted a public participation policy that enhances engagement and information-sharing with local communities.
Promoting civic space regionally and internationally
We work with regional and global institutions to develop progressive norms while promoting domestic compliance and accountability.
In 2024, our consultation on election-related challenges in Africa informed a the work of UN Special Rapporteurs and led to an increased focus on elections and civic space at the ACHPR.
Sharing knowledge
ICNL conducts innovative research on the laws and trends shaping civic space in Africa. We also collaborate with local partners from diverse sectors to produce context-specific knowledge products.
See the Key Resources section below for some of our recent research.
Key Resources
ACHPR Checklists for Law Reform Advocates
These two checklists help people use the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa. They provide a simple way to monitor State compliance and identify where issues might arise.
Freedom of Expression Handbook for Lawmakers and Law Reform Advocates
This handbook helps lawmakers and law reform advocates assess whether national laws comply with international legal standards on the right to the freedom of expression. It features an easy-to-use checklist format, asking users a series of questions and directing them to best practices.
Community Philanthropy in East Africa
The 2022 study by the East Africa Philanthropy Network surveys the landscape for philanthropy in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. It examines models which are working, identifies opportunities to grow local resource mobilization, and identifies gaps. Published with the support of ICNL.
Global Grantmaking Country Notes
In partnership with the Council on Foundations, ICNL documents developments in 34 countries to help U.S grantmakers undertake equivalency determinations for foreign grantees. In Sub-Saharan Africa, reports are available for Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda.
Civic Freedom Monitor
The Civic Freedom Monitor provides up-to-date information on civil society law in more than 50 countries and eight multilateral organizations. In Africa, we track developments in the DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Explore our Practical Guides:
• Ethiopia’s Organizations of Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019
• Tanzania: Legal and Reporting Requirements Toolkit
• Zimbabwe's Maintenance of Peace and Order Act: Ensuring Compliance by Organizers of Assemblies
• Practical Guide to Zimbabwe’s PVO Act (2025 Amendments)
Explore our full global resource collection, which includes reports, legal analysis, and curated collections of materials covering an array of issues impacting civic space around the world.
Country Overviews
Click below to see country-specific resources.
