When we first put out the call for the CivicTech Fellowship 2026, we were on a mission to identify and support the next generation of civic innovators ready to scale across West Africa. We didn’t expect 935 applications from 14 countries. But the real story is in the people who showed up with ideas rooted in their communities, solutions for justice, governance, inclusion, climate action, and digital rights. They came with passion, grit, and a refusal to accept that technology should only serve the few. They represent the best of what West Africa has to offer: diversity, bold visions, and a shared commitment to building tech that serves the many, not the few.
West Africa is at a crossroads. The region faces complex challenges: democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, disinformation, climate vulnerability, and systemic inequality. Yet within these challenges lies opportunity. Across Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, and beyond, a new generation of innovators is leveraging technology to rebuild trust between citizens and institutions, track public spending, expand access to justice, and amplify marginalized voices.
CivicTech in West Africa is no longer a niche experiment but a growing movement. With AI-powered legal chatbots that speak local languages and IoT-based flood prediction systems, these innovators are proving that context-driven technology can strengthen democracy and improve lives. However, these innovators often work in isolation, lack access to mentorship, and struggle to secure funding. The CivicTech Fellowship was created to close that gap by connecting builders across borders, equipping them with practical skills, and anchoring them in a community of practice.
Since March 3, 2026, all 15 of our CivicTech fellows have been immersed in a curriculum designed to challenge, inspire, and equip them for the road ahead. At the heart of this experience are our facilitators and mentors. Our fellows have learned from a dynamic lineup of experts who have shaped the CivicTech landscape across Africa and beyond. From Oluseun Onigbinde’s candid lessons on navigating a shrinking civic space to Pape Modou Samb’s challenge to think deeply about technology ownership and AI’s environmental impact, each session has pushed fellows to think beyond the moment. Blessing O. Ajimoti grounded the cohort in a problem-first approach, while Dr. Amanim Akpabio brought legal rigour to conversations on democracy and the rule of law. Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo unpacked algorithmic bias and data sovereignty in a powerful fireside chat, and Nelson Olanipekun, an alumnus of the fellowship, returned as a mentor, embodying the spirit of paying it forward. Joseph Agunbiade delivered a masterclass on scaling product innovation in the age of AI, Hamzat Lawal shared real lessons on building sustainable organizations, Abimbola Ashonibare helped fellows understand the power of brand and communication, and Shukrat Amosa reminded every builder that owning their intellectual property is just as important as building it. Together, these facilitators have transformed the fellowship into a rich ecosystem of practical, honest feedback and unwavering support.
One of our most cherished highlights has been the lab sessions, where each fellow has the opportunity for a one-on-one brainstorming session with the founders of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde and Joseph Agunbiade. During these closed-door conversations, fellows discuss ways to scale their solutions, reframe challenges, identify sustainable funding paths, and sharpen their theory of change. These sessions have produced some of the most honest, vulnerable, and transformative moments of the fellowship so far.
This is the first time the fellowship has included a dedicated Francophone cohort from Senegal, made possible through partnerships with BudgIT Senegal, AfricTivistes, and Tuwindi. Bilingual materials, French-speaking facilitators, and cross-border collaboration have enriched the entire fellowship experience.
At a time when civic space is shrinking across the region, marked by internet shutdowns, restrictive legislation, and declining funding for transparency and accountability work, the CivicTech Fellowship is serving as a lifeline, scaling CivicTech solutions in West Africa.
We cannot wait for perfect conditions to build democratic resilience. The work must happen now, often in hostile environments, with limited resources. This fellowship equips young innovators with the tools, networks, and confidence to build anyway: strategically, ethically, and sustainably.
Moreover, the fellowship is building a regional ecosystem that transcends national borders. A fellow in Lagos can now learn from a mentor in Dakar. A solution designed in Kano can inspire a similar tool in Bamako. This cross-pollination of ideas, contexts, and strategies is how West Africa will ultimately strengthen its CivicTech infrastructure.
The fellowship is now in its final stretch. In the coming weeks, fellows will continue their mentorship, refine their solutions based on feedback, and prepare for the final showcase, a moment to present their work to a panel of experts, funders, and peers at the West Africa CivicTech Conference. Register to attend and be there.
The impact of the CivicTech Fellowship remains undeniable. And the future of CivicTech in West Africa is in very good hands.