BudgIT, a leading civic-tech organisation promoting transparency and accountability in public finance management, and Connected Development (CODE), a non-profit organisation promoting citizens’
engagement and good governance, are pleased to announce a joint project to implement a groundbreaking
initiative to strengthen locally-led development across Africa. The project will focus on Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal,
and Ghana, using evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, and multimedia advocacy to enhance the
localisation of philanthropic resources for sustainable development.
With the unprecedented change in the global philanthropy environment, this initiative seeks to analyse the
donor funding landscape, identify local organisations’ resource gaps and capacity needs, and showcase successful
locally-led development models through strategic engagement and audio-visual storytelling. Not only does this
program seek to highlight the successes of local CSOs and appraise their challenges, it aims to make a case for
why power and resources should shift to the beneciaries of development.
In partnership with Oxlade Consulting, BudgIT and Connected Development (CODE) will comprehensively
evaluate local organisations’ role in driving institutional reforms, election integrity, scal transparency, gender
justice, and social inclusion. This initiative will highlight how international donors have invested in civil society
and how local organisations eectively manage sub-grants and deliver impact. Three “Pause and Reect”
workshops will be held in Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal to deepen insights, engaging civil society actors on critical
issues such as transparency, citizen participation in elections, and gender justice. Additionally, a virtual session
with previous COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability Project (CTAP) partners will provide further
perspectives, culminating in a detailed research report.
As part of eorts to document and amplify the success of locally-led development initiatives, four short
documentaries will be produced, showcasing impactful projects, including CTAP. Through interviews with
beneciaries, stakeholders, and partner organisations, BudgIT and CODE will highlight the eectiveness of
grassroots-driven solutions. To further advocate for increased support, a multi-stakeholder dinner will be hosted,
oering a platform to present key ndings and strengthen partnerships in local development.
The project will culminate in a Locally-Led Development and Civil Society Fair & Exhibition, convening
government leaders, bilateral organisations, private philanthropic foundations, and international NGOs. This
event will feature research presentations, panel discussions, and an exhibition, underscoring the invaluable
contributions of local organisations to Africa’s development landscape.
“Local civil society organisations are at the core of Africa’s development, yet they face challenges. This partnership
will highlight their resilience, showcase their successes, and advocate for a more inclusive funding structure that
empowers those on the ground. This initiative is a bold step towards shifting power and resources to local actors,”
said Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s Global Director.
“BudgIT and Connected Development (CODE) are collaborating on a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen
locally-led development across Africa, focusing on Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and Ghana. This project aims to
enhance the localisation of philanthropic resources for sustainable development through evidence-based research,
stakeholder engagement, and multimedia advocacy,” added Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Ocer, Connected
Development.
Through these activities, BudgIT and CODE aim to foster deeper engagement, inuence the localisation
agenda, and enhance the capacity of non-prots across the continent. With support of the Hilton Foundation,
this project rearms BudgIT and CODE’s commitment to ensuring that African-led solutions are at the
forefront of development for African nations, inuencing policy shifts and funding structures that support
sustainable, locally-driven impact.