At the African Legacy Summit, organised by Ocorian, our Executive Vice Chair, Mrs Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, spoke about our work and shared insights on why effective public institutions are essential to Africa’s progress.
Speaking about Africa’s development, our EVC highlighted the importance of equipping public servants to lead change from within government, as they are responsible for delivering the public services through which citizens experience governance. Strengthening their capacity to drive reform is therefore essential to improving public service delivery and outcomes for citizens.
She also highlighted digitalisation and artificial intelligence as opportunities to help public institutions address existing challenges and improve service delivery. However, technology alone cannot deliver lasting change. Public institutions also need the right systems and processes to put policies into practice and ensure that new technologies achieve their intended results.
She emphasised the importance of political buy-in and an understanding of the institutional dynamics that shape reform implementation. Public servants must be able to identify and engage key stakeholders, navigate competing interests and build the support needed to move reforms forward.
She called for greater private-sector and philanthropic support for public institutions, encouraging organisations and philanthropists to complement direct service delivery with support for the institutions responsible for providing those services.
Africa’s progress depends on the strength of its public institutions and the people working to improve them. Through leadership development, reform support, research and advocacy, we continue to support public servants working to make government more effective and improve the lives of citizens.
Watch the session here.