Democracy in Africa

Speakers: Professor Ibrahim Lipumba (former presidential candidate, Tanzania), Nic Cheeseman (Oxford University), Vera Kwakofi (BBC Africa)

This introduction to participatory budgeting examines how citizens, local mayors and a society of booklovers collaborated to establish the initiative in Yaoundé despite the weakness of democracy in the country.

Eight things you should know about participatory budgeting. Including the types of projects that can be funded, the origins of the approach and some limitations.

In Cameroon’s municipalities participatory budgeting offers an opportunity to increase the impact of very limited financial resources by aligning policymaking with pressing local needs.

This Briefing Note examines some essential traits of recent African elections and considers their implications for future contests.