On July 22, the International Budget Partnership (IBP) officially inaugurated its Francophone Africa office during a high-level webinar focused on co-creating accountability ecosystems for the sound management of public funds. This landmark event brought together key regional governance actors to define inclusive mechanisms ensuring that public budgets directly respond to the needs of the population. Representing AfroLeadership—which has been a partner of the International Budget Partnership since 2012—President Charlie Martial NGOUNOU took an active part in these strategic discussions to advocate for a competent, proactive civil society engaged alongside public institutions.
At the heart of the debate on accountability, AfroLeadership highlighted a recurring obstacle in public management: the climate of suspicion that often taints relations between governments and civil society organizations (CSOs). Far from confining themselves to a role of systematic critique, CSOs today possess genuine technical mastery of budget tracking and civic participation tools. Mindful of the complex burdens weighing on governments, AfroLeadership advocates for a shift toward a constructive partnership in which civil society brings concrete added value to state-led development efforts.
“There is still a kind of halo of mistrust surrounding civil society organizations, which should… be perceived not merely as critical observers, but as competent actors who master the mechanisms of civic participation.
We claim this place and believe we can contribute effectively to the work that governments dowork that is by no means easy, we must acknowledge. We simply ask to bring our contribution to this extremely important responsibility, which will allow us to demonstrate and magnify the work we are all doing.”
Charlie Martial NGOUNOU,
Executive Director, AfroLeadership
IBP’s regional establishment in Francophone Africa thus offers a valuable opportunity to build the climate of trust essential for co-creation. By claiming a full seat at the table in public policy formulation and evaluation, AfroLeadership reaffirms its determination to work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders across the governance ecosystem—namely the government, decentralized local authorities, technical partners, private enterprises, and local organizations. It is through this embraced complementarity and mutual respect that budget transparency will become a true lever of impact serving the well-being of all communities.