The African Policy Circle (APC) Conference

The African Policy Circle (APC) Conference event in Yaoundé, Cameroon, focused on "For the citizen, by the citizen: Connecting policy with participation." This conference aimed to discuss how African citizens can more effectively participate in policymaking and ensure governments prioritize their interests, even in foreign policy. The event was driven by the APC annual theme “Centring the African Citizen” and sought to address the challenges to democracy in Africa, such as unconstitutional changes in government and the shrinking of civic space, despite strong public support for democratic principles. From May 26–28, the African Policy Circle (APC) Conference 2025 brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and civil society in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to tackle a critical question:

How can African citizens more effectively shape policies—especially foreign policy—to ensure governments truly act in their interests?

Under the theme the conference explored actionable ways to strengthen democracy amid challenges like shrinking civic space, unconstitutional governance changes, and the rise of “strongman syndrome.”

Key Discussion Themes:

· Feedback Mechanisms – How can governments better listen to citizens? 

· Civil Society & Government Collaboration – Bridging gaps for inclusive policymaking.

· Misinformation & Trust – Combatting fake news while restoring public confidence. 

· Digital Innovation – Leveraging tech for civic engagement & accountability. 

· Post-Aid Realities – Rethinking Africa’s policy autonomy in a shifting global landscape.

African nations have a powerful opportunity to genuinely empower citizens in shaping governance and policies—by creating more inclusive platforms for direct engagement between civil society, citizens, and government.  This isn’t a new concept for Africa. Traditional systems like South Africa’s citizen assemblies, Botswana’s Kgotla, and Ghana’s Town Hall meetings have long fostered participatory democracy. Building on this, the conference further explored how citizens can play a stronger role in policy formation—including foreign policy—to ensure governments act in their best interest. Conference findings included key strategies to strengthen citizen participation:

· Improving Feedback Mechanisms – Ensuring policies reflect citizens' needs. 

· Fostering Collaboration – Civil society, citizens, and governments must work together.

· Restoring Trust – Governments must actively engage citizens to rebuild confidence. 

· Leveraging Digital Tools – Tech can revolutionize civic engagement and advocacy.

· Strengthening Accountability – Africans demand integrity in governance—local leaders must be held accountable. 

Why This Matters: 

The demand for democracy remains strong: Afrobarometer (2024) found that 66% of Africans prefer democracy over authoritarian alternatives. Yet, many face a disconnect between their democratic aspirations and reality. #TheContinentAPC2025 amplified solutions to recentre the citizen—because governance should serve the people, not power.  Democratic Governance continues to require active civic participation.