Code For Africa (CfA)

Code for Africa (CfA) uses technology and #OpenData to build digital democracies that empower citizens. We give citizens actionable information for better-informed decision making and digital tools to amplify their voices, so that they can hold the authorities (both governmental and corporate) to account. We do this in a number of ways: first, by liberating the data currently locked up in governments and corporations, and using this information to build open data / open government digital "backbone" infrastructure. Second, we embed technologists into frontline civic watchdogs, the mass media, public entities, and grassroots citizen organisations to help create the tools, skills, and data necessary to engage meaningfully with the power elite. And, third, we foster civic engagement by incubating digital storytellers and amplifying citizen voices, building digital democracy services that encourage active citizenry, and supporting evidence-based public discourse. We have over 140 full-time in-country staff at innovation labs in 28 African countries: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinée, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. And, we have a small number of staff in non-African countries, including Georgia, Italy and the USA. CfA also has active projects in a further five African countries. CfA is funded by a coalition of human rights defending philanthropies, global technology platforms, media organisations and citizen watchdog bodies interested in public accountability.