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Publications
Africa in Fact, June 2013: Elections: make them count
After the cold war ended, all African countries with the exception of Eritrea and Swaziland formally introduced multi-party politics. All African countries now hold elections. But holding elections is not necessarily a sign of democracy. This issue of Africa in Fact explores which countries are getting it right, and where some changes are needed.
Africa in Fact, May 2013: Bit by bit, technology transforms Africa
Since 2000 sub-Saharan Africa’s mobile market has grown 44% a year on average and is now the world’s fastest growing. By the end of 2012, Africa as a whole had accumulated 821m mobile subscribers out of a population of 1.08 billion, with the penetration rate likely to pass 100% in 2017. This issue of Africa in Fact explores how technology is reshaping Africa.
Africa in Fact, April 2013: Aid-The bottomless pit
For more than half a century, the international community has emptied half a trillion dollars in aid into Africa, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The aim of these generous donations—motivated sometimes by altruism, sometimes by contrition about colonialism, other times out of self-interest—was to build political and economic alliances, improve living conditions and lift people out of poverty. This issue of Africa in Fact explores the impact of foreign aid on the continent.
Africa in Fact, March 2013: Are you allowed to read this?
Freedom of expression is under siege in most of Africa. In 2012, only 5 out of 55 African countries had a free press, according to Freedom House: Cape Verde, Ghana, Mali, Mauritius, and São Tomé and Príncipe. This issue of Africa in Fact explores the impact of limitations of freedom of expression in Africa.
Africa in Fact, February 2013: Trade
Our desire to trade is irresistible. To get our goods to market we cross deserts and high mountain ranges, evade robbers and greedy governments, learn foreign languages, and build roads and railways. Stopping people from trading clearly requires a special effort. Yet African trade is insignificant. This issue of Africa in Fact explores why, and why this should be changed.
South Africa: Rainbow Index 2011-12
South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), sees the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow as lying in a national democratic revolution and ambitious new forms of social engineering. Liberals believe it lies rather in the maintenance of political and economic freedoms. Anthea Jeffery's ‘Rainbow Index’ for 2010-2011 tracks developments in ten policy areas covering both the political and economic dimensions, and scores the country’s performance on each one.
Africa in Fact, December 2012-January 2013: Africa's opposition parties
Without an opposition a country cannot be defined as democratic, representative and accountable. Libya under Muammar Gaddafi and Eritrea under Isaias Afewerki show that outlawing the opposition means having to suppress divergent views at the point of a gun.This issue of Africa in Fact examines the state of opposition parties across 14 countries, and features investigations into the challenges they face.
Africa in Fact, November 2012: Land and Agriculture
Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, according to the McKinsey Global Institute, a research organisation. International investors have noticed and have started buying or leasing large tracts of African land to put it to productive use. Should we welcome this development?
Africa in Fact, October 2012: Law and Lawlessness
The rule of law and democracy are two of the cornerstones of good governance. Democracy lets citizens decide by which rules they allow themselves to be governed, and the rule of law ensures that these rules are enforced. When this process works properly, it results in stability and rising prosperity. This issue explores law and lawlessness in the context of governance in Africa.
Africa in Fact, September 2012: Energy
Africa has 15% of the world's population, but only uses 3% of its electricity. The lack of power stifles economies, harms the environment and damages the health of African citizens. In the fourth issue of Africa in Fact we describe the problems and potential solutions.
Africa in Fact, August 2012: Africa's resources
"If we are so rich, why are we so poor?" asks the third issue of Africa in Fact. The continent is generously endowed with natural resources, but most Africans languish in poverty. This issue examines the link between governance, transparency and resources in various countries.
Africa in Fact, July 2012: African growth
The second issue of Africa in Fact is all about growth and numbers. It features pieces on the competition for dominance between South Africa and Nigeria, the dubious quality of many African statistics, and Ethiopia's astronomical growth rates, amongst others.
Africa in Fact, June 2012: Teetering towards Democracy
"Africa in Fact" is the monthly journal of Good Governance Africa. It features analytical pieces from experts in Africa and beyond, as well as data, charts, and graphs.
South Africa: Rainbow Index 2010-11
South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), sees the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow as lying in a national democratic revolution and ambitious new forms of social engineering. Liberals believe it lies rather in the maintenance of political and economic freedoms. Anthea Jeffery's ‘Rainbow Index’ for 2010-2011 tracks developments in ten policy areas covering both the political and economic dimensions, and scores the country’s performance on each one.
Africa in Fact, June 2013: Elections: make them count