West Africa Civic Tech Conference
Connect with innovators, policymakers, and change-makers as we explore technology’s role in fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
West Africa CivicTech Conference
Connect with innovators, policymakers, and change-makers as we explore technology’s role in fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
Theme: Youth, Technology & the Future of Governance in West Africa
Date
JULY
24-25, 2026
Venue
The Civic Center, Lagos
What We Are About
Civic technology (CivicTech) is transforming transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement across Africa. In West Africa, grassroots innovators, technologists, and civil society organizations are using digital tools to tackle governance challenges. The West Africa CivicTech Network unites these changemakers to foster collaboration, innovation, and a robust civic tech ecosystem.
Democracy in the Digital Age
Rethink citizen engagement through technology to strengthen democratic values.
Participatory Governance & Community Organising
Empower Africa’s next generation of leaders to shape governance.
Open Governance
Promote transparency and accountability using innovative tools.
CivicTech and Innovations
Showcase groundbreaking technologies solving governance challenges.
Promoting Citizen Participation in Democracy through Technology
For decades, public participation has been central to shaping democracy across West Africa. From groundbreaking movements to the rise of civic technology, this Summit gathers the region’s brightest minds to redefine governance through digital innovation.
Our Core Objectives
Our core objectives focus on solving critical issues in democracy through these four thematic areas.
- We want to strengthen regional collaboration by connecting civictech innovators, organizations, and governments to share knowledge, tools, and strategies for scalable civic impact.
- We aim to deepen citizen uptake and localizing civic innovation by supporting the development and adaptation of technology that responds and solves unique and long standing social challenges in each West African country.
- We want to do this by building capacity and talent through training, fellowships, and exchange programs to nurture emerging civictech leaders, developers, and advocates.
- We are committed to regional policy engagement that serves the collective voices and engage regional bodies (ECOWAS, AU etc), governments, and donors on issues of digital rights, civic space, and open governance.
- Our overarching goal is to foster sustainability and growth by improving resource mobilization, impact investment, and research and development that sustains civictech projects across the region.
IMPACT IN NUMBERS
Register
Whether you’re joining as an attendee, speaker, exhibitor, or sponsor, your participation will shape the future of civic tech in West Africa.
Register to Attend
Be part of this transformative experience, learn, network, and engage with like-minded individuals.
Register to Partner
Share your insights and experiences to inspire change and innovation.
Register to Exhibit
Participate in our hackathons to create innovative solutions.
Register to Volunteer
Partner with us to drive the civic-tech revolution and gain brand visibility.
2025 CivicTech Conference
Last year, the civic tech comference was launched with the panel sessions focusing on two topics:
- Rethinking AI and CivicTech for People, Impact, and Inclusive Governance
- Can Technology Fix Democracy in Africa?Â
CivicTech Map
West Africa CivicTech Innovation Showcase
Discover the growing landscape of Civic Technology in West Africa. Our interactive map showcases key players, innovative solutions, and thriving civic-tech hubs dedicated to improving democratic processes and governance. Click on each region to learn more about the organizations driving change and the technologies they are developing.
Sponsors
We are proud to be supported by forward-thinking organizations that share our commitment to empowering citizens and promoting democratic processes in West Africa.
FAQs
You probably have a few questions as it pertains to the upcoming West Africa Civic Tech Conference. Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions.
The West Africa CivicTech Conference is the region's gathering of citizens, innovators, policymakers, civil society leaders, and journalists harnessing technology to strengthen democratic governance. Now in its second edition, the 2026 conference brings together physical and virtual participants from across West Africa and beyond.
The conference will be held on July 23–24, 2026.Â
- July 23 (Day 1): Fellowship Workshop & Stakeholder Roundtables (invitation-only sessions)
- July 24 (Day 2): Main Conference (open to all registered attendees at the The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Opposite 1004 Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria)
This year’s theme is ‘Youth, Technology & the Future of Governance in West Africa.’ Across the region, citizens are building tools that track government budgets, protect electoral integrity, defend civic space, and amplify marginalised voices.
The conference is curated for:
- Citizens who believe technology can make governance work for everyone
- CivicTech innovators and foundersÂ
- Policymakers and government officialsÂ
- Civil society organisationsÂ
- Journalists and media professionalsÂ
- Students and young professionalsÂ
- Donors and investorsÂ
Yes. Following the success of our 2025 edition, which convened over 300+ physical and 492 virtual participants from seven West African nations and launched the West Africa CivicTech Network. This year's event is integrated with the CivicTech Fellowship.
The Civic Tech Fellowship is Civic Hive's flagship incubation programme, supporting innovators from across West Africa to develop and scale technology solutions that strengthen democratic governance. The 2026 cohort is scaling solutions spanning election integrity, budget transparency, civic space protection, and citizen participation.
Smart casual is recommended. Lagos in July can be warm, so lightweight fabrics are advisable. Comfortable footwear is encouraged for networking and moving between sessions.
Yes. All registered physical attendees will receive lunch and refreshments during breaks on July 24.
Registration opens April 27, 2026. You can register through our website at westafrica.civichive.org. Simply click the ‘Register Now’ button and select your attendance category (Physical or Virtual). And yes, attendance is completely free for both physical and virtual participants.
Please contact our partnerships team at info@civichive.org to request our partnership prospectus and schedule a conversation.
Yes. Civic Centre is wheelchair accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible restroom facilities.
- Website: westafrica.civichive.org
- Social Media: linktr.ee/civichive
