Civic Hive, a civic tech organisation, has unveiled the ‘Open West Africa’ platform to strengthen civic freedoms and promote transparency in West Africa.
The platform was launched during a three-day hackathon of the 2025 West Africa Civic Tech Conference, organized by Civic Hive with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy(NED).
The platform was developed in “response to growing concerns around disinformation, shrinking civic space, media suppression, and democratic backsliding across West Africa”.
In a statement, the organisation said the platform provides a space for citizens, journalists, policymakers, and researchers to find clear, reliable, and easy-to-understand information about civic openness.
Advertisement
The organisation said the civic space in West Africa is “shifting rapidly”, adding that some countries in the region are experiencing governance challenges linked to insecurity, political transitions, or weakening public institutions.
“Despite these pressures, the region continues to demonstrate resilience through active youth
movements, innovative civic-tech initiatives, strong community leaders, and dedicated civil
society organisations,” the statement reads.
“Open West Africa’s mission is diplomatic, constructive, and non-partisan. The platform aims to foster dialogue, enhance transparency, and support efforts toward more inclusive, accountable,and resilient governance.
Advertisement
“The launch of Open West Africa comes at a critical moment. With rising digital risks, misinformation, governance challenges, and security concerns, the region needs platforms that encourage constructive engagement and informed participation.
“Open West Africa will serve as a regional public good, supporting journalists seeking verified data, civil society organizations advocating for accountability, policymakers needing evidence-based insights, citizens wanting to understand their rights and opportunities, and researchers studying governance across the region.”
