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Africa at a Tipping Point

Tech grows, social media expands, but civic voices struggle to be heard.

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Our Work

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About ImpactHouse

We are a nonprofit driving meaningful dialogue and deepening understanding among everyday citizens, empowering them to engage with the social issues that matter most to their well-being. Our work spans critical areas including civic participation and good governance, gender equity and justice, education and human rights, and media and civil society development. 

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Key Interventions

Development Diaries

A leading pro-development news brand in Africa challenging the traditional approach to journalism by taking an evidence-based stance on issues and demanding action with a bias for the public good.
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Change Reporting

Change Reporting is a capacity development initiative that has recorded four major cohorts and covered a wide range of topics under media relations, advocacy, social media and gender-responsive education sector planning (GRESP).
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Tok am Well

This is a community-focused initiative that sparks meaningful dialogue and deepens understanding among everyday citizens, empowering them to engage with the social issues that matter most to their well-being.
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zenzile

Zenzile

An innovative virtual newsroom for African journalists, supporting reporters with in-depth analysis, verifiable data, and expert commentary on a wide range of specialised topics for improved quality of stories.
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Sauti Ukweli

Sauti Ukweli is the voice of the everyday African – bold, satirical, and unfiltered – breaking down social issues, making them relatable, and calling out leaders to deliver on their promises.

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State of Trust

The State of Trust is an annual research report that uncovers the key factors shaping trust between citizens and public officials.

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Key Achievements

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Journalists and civil society professionals trained

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Stories on GRESP supported

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Power of Collaboration

We have partnered with organisations that share our vision of an Africa of informed and active citizens driving sustainable development.
SSPolicyLab
african-development-bank
Aelex
Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development
PPDC
wangonet
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  • Block 11, Philkruz Estate, Along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
  • info@impacthouse.org.ng
  • +234818 611 2665, +234908 855 8232
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Africa at a Tipping Point: Tech grows, social media expands, but civic voices struggle to be heard.

In a continent where so much is trending, yet nothing is changing, the true challenge lies in turning Africa's growing social noise into transformative civic action.

Femi Aderibigbe, Founder/Board Chair, ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication

Over the past 15 years, Africa has witnessed significant strides in civic engagement, driven by pro-democracy movements and the adoption of innovative civic technologies. These advancements have played a pivotal role in mobilising citizens, fostering inclusive decision-making, and amplifying marginalised voices.

However, despite increased participation rates and technological progress, these efforts have not translated into sustained or impactful civic engagement or improved governance outcomes.

Limited Understanding of Social Issues

Africa’s civic ecosystem is hindered by poor-quality conversations that undermine effective citizen participation. Weak civic engagement is fueled by limited public understanding of social issues, widespread misinformation, shrinking civic and digital spaces, and the absence of robust accountability mechanisms.

Citizen-Government Distrust

A deep-seated mistrust between citizens and governments compounds this problem, stemming from decades of corruption, governance failures, and inadequate communication. With the continent scoring an average of 32/100 on the 2022 Corruption Perception Index and only 43 percent of the global population trusting their governments in 2018, the disconnect is glaring. Increasingly, citizens turn to private sector actors as accountability agents, further marginalising public institutions and weakening the governance fabric.

Digital Rights Violations and Misinformation

The situation is exacerbated by digital rights violations, including internet shutdowns and social media bans in countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. These actions disrupt citizen mobilisation and press freedom, impeding democratic processes. Meanwhile, the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation clouds the digital space, further eroding trust and making informed civic action increasingly difficult, as evidenced by election manipulation in Uganda’s 2021 elections.

These challenges have created a fragmented civic landscape where citizens are ill-equipped to meaningfully engage in governance or hold leaders accountable, stalling progress toward sustainable development and inclusive growth across the continent.

ImpactHouse’s Response

ImpactHouse is committed to transforming the quality of civic conversations in Africa to foster responsive and accountable governance. Our approach emphasises strengthening civil society and the media through targeted training, cutting-edge technology, and access to essential resources. By amplifying social demands with precision, we aim to bridge the citizen-government divide, enhance trust, and empower communities to drive meaningful change.
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