Africa

For the past thirty years, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has worked in over 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, a continent with unique challenges and multiple different political contexts. From Nigeria to Kenya and Liberia to Guinea, IFES programming seeks to advance good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to election officials; empower the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and apply field-based research to improve the electoral cycle.

Where We Work

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Sierra Leone

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News and Updates Feature

Praise in a crowd.

With the Right Support, Every Woman Can Lead Hear from three young women from Nigeria, Ifunanya Jessica Okoye, Praise Chidiebube Nwankwo, and Toyin Adebusola Adebayo, on their experiences as young leaders. January 14, 2025

Election Snapshot

Young man waves Ghanian flag with building in the back on a city street.

Elections in Ghana: 2024 Ghana Presidential and Parliamentary Election Ghana Presidential and Parliamentary Elections
December 7, 2024 December 2, 2024

Election Snapshot

Voters standing in line waiting their turn to vote in the 2024 Senegalese Presidential Elections.

Elections in Senegal: 2024 Snap Legislative Elections The Republic of Senegal is scheduled to conduct snap legislative elections on Sunday, November 17, 2024. During this election, citizens will elect 165 members of the National Assembly for a five-year term.
October 31, 2024

News and Updates Feature

A young Indigenous woman with a disability presenting for her group during IFES’ Youth ALLIES Civic Education Training of Trainers in Guyana (March 2023).

Indigenous Unity: Advocates from Cambodia, Guyana and Kenya Connect IFES youth partners address the twenty-third session of UNPFII August 6, 2024

Election Snapshot

Voters stand in line waiting their turn to vote in the 2022 Senegalese local elections

Elections in Senegal: 2024 Presidential Elections IFES provides frequently asked questions (FAQs) ahead of the 2024 Presidential Elections in Senegal. These elections will be held on March 24, 2024 (rescheduled from February 25) March 19, 2024

News and Updates Opinion

a gavel placed in front of a globe in a study.

Networked Justice: Preparing for the 2024 Super-Year of Elections IFES experts say It’s time to recognize the critical role of judges in the defense of democracy. February 28, 2024

Events

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Event: Rapid Response Programs in the Gambia Members of the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) have been working with Gambian stakeholders under the challenging circumstances of the old regime, and have now mobilized with new, targeted, rapid response initiatives to ensure the country is supported in its ambitions of freedom moving forward. CEPPS cordially invites you to a roundtable discussion on how the consortium partners design and implement complementary rapid response initiatives and will highlight lessons emerging in the wake of the Gambia’s transition.

June 8, 2017 3:00 PM EDT

RSVP

Assessing Nigeria’s 2019 Elections Through a National Post-Election Survey IFES is pleased to invite you to an event on December 10 at IFES headquarters, where the results of the post-2019 nationwide public opinion survey will be presented alongside discussions of developments in the Nigerian electoral process.

December 10, 2019 9:30 AM EST

IFES Mentions

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Semafor "One Good Text" at the Summit for Democracy From Lusaka, IFES CEO and President Tony Banbury discusses what the U.S. and Zambia share in their experiences of democracy. March 29, 2023

Actualite Five questions to Theophilus Dowetin (IFES) on the low participation of women in recruitment operations Theophilus Dowetin, IFES's Democratic Republic of the Congo country director, discusses the enrollment of women voters ahead of the general election later this year. February 28, 2023

Al Jazeera Nigeria election 2023: Five reasons to care about the vote IFES Country Director for Nigeria, Seray Jah, speaks to Al Jazeera on the 2023 Nigerian General Elections. February 23, 2023