欧洲安全研究所-非洲人想要的未来（英）-2021-10页_664kb

Summary of "THE FUTURE AFRICANS WANT"

Core Content

This policy brief explores the aspirations of African citizens for the next decade and emphasizes the importance of citizen engagement in shaping a more democratic, accountable, and responsive governance system. It also highlights the growing gap between these aspirations and the current state of governance, and suggests how optimism and active participation can be leveraged to drive positive change in Africa.

Main Aspirations of Africans

Africans have clear and ambitious expectations for their future:

• Self-sufficiency and autonomy: They desire to meet their basic needs independently and to have control over their development.
• Democratic governance: Strong support for democracy, with 72% preferring democratic systems over authoritarian ones.
• Accountability and responsiveness: Over 64% of Africans believe that government accountability to the people is more important than getting things done.
• Economic and social security: Priorities include job creation, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and access to clean water.

Current Reality vs. Aspirations

Despite these aspirations, the current reality is concerning:

• Negative perceptions: 62% of Africans believe their country is going in the wrong direction, up from 47% in 2011-2013.
• Material deprivation: In 25 countries, more than half of citizens reported going without enough food, clean water, or adequate healthcare in the past year.
• Democratic supply vs. demand: While demand for democracy remains strong, the supply is lagging, with only 43% expressing satisfaction with how democracy functions.
• Corruption and government response: Citizens report increasing levels of corruption and dissatisfaction with government efforts to combat it. Few believe officials will take action if they report corruption, and many fear retaliation.

The Role of Citizen Engagement

Africans are willing to engage in various forms of civic action:

• Direct participation: 38% have taken action when they encountered a problem with government performance.
• Collective efforts: 48% have joined others to raise an issue in the past year.
• Tax compliance: 66% are willing to pay more taxes to increase self-reliance and 51% to improve access to services.
• Confidence in change: A majority believe that ordinary people can make a difference in the fight against corruption.

The Link Between Governance and Optimism

Respectful and responsive governance is linked to higher levels of optimism and citizen engagement:

• Positive correlation: Countries with more responsive governance tend to have higher levels of optimism about their future.
• Policy outcomes: Input legitimacy (citizen engagement and trust) is associated with better policy outcomes and greater satisfaction with democratic systems.
• Key indicators: The percentage of citizens who feel their government is responsive and respectful is positively correlated with their perception of the country moving in the right direction.

Recommendations for Harnessing Citizen Power

To build a future that aligns with African aspirations, the brief recommends:

• Government openness and transparency: Initiatives such as open data, participatory budgeting, and open public procurement can improve governance and increase citizen trust.
• Safe and effective communication channels: Citizens need secure and confidential ways to report grievances and engage with government without fear of retaliation.
• EU and international support: The EU and other international actors should prioritize transparency and accountability initiatives, and support civil society and government efforts to foster citizen engagement.
• Local governance focus: Local government is a critical point of interaction between citizens and the state. Strengthening mechanisms at this level is essential for meaningful engagement.
• Investing in citizen capacity: Supporting citizens in their efforts to solve local problems and participate in policy processes can enhance development outcomes and political stability.

Conclusion

Africans are optimistic about their future and are ready to take action to achieve their goals. However, this potential is often undermined by a lack of government responsiveness, transparency, and respect for citizen input. By fostering open and accountable governance, and creating safe spaces for citizen engagement, African countries can harness this energy to achieve their development and democratic aspirations.

Key Information

• Survey data: Based on Afrobarometer surveys in 34 and 25 countries, respectively.
• Time frame: Analysis spans from 2011-2013 to 2016-2018.
• Themes: People-centered development, citizen engagement, democratic governance, and the role of international support.
• Visual aids: Figures 1-5 illustrate trends in support for democracy, perception of country direction, and levels of citizen engagement.
• Call to action: Encourages African decision-makers and international supporters to prioritize transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in development planning and implementation.