In this insightful interview with Dr. Gilbert A. Ang’ana, we explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities surrounding governance in Africa, touching on everything from institutional weaknesses to the impact of digitalisation. Ang’ana’s expertise sheds light on crucial topics such as intra-governmental collaboration, decentralisation, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the continent’s future.
Content
- Defining “Good Governance” in the African Context
- Reception of Good Governance Models Across African States
- Intra-Government Collaboration: An Overlooked Pillar of Governance
- Case Studies: Successes and Failures in Intra-Governmental Collaboration
- Institutional and Political Barriers to Effective Collaboration
- Roots of Institutional Weakness and the Role of the African Union
- Centralisation vs. Decentralisation of Power in Africa
- Challenges in Decentralising Key Governance Elements
- Intra-Governmental Collaboration as Mediator or Moderator of Governance Outcomes?
- Governance Education and Capacity-Building Initiatives in Africa
- “Responsible Negotiation” vs. Traditional Conflict Resolution Methods
- Role of Tribes and Minorities in Shaping Good Governance
- Navigating Donor Influence and Corporate Pressure: Striving for Epistemic Autonomy
- Digitalisation’s Role in Advancing Governance in Africa
- Competing Interests: International vs. Local Tech Enterprises
- The Power Challenge: Electricity Access as a Prerequisite for Digital Progress
- Key Governance Reforms Needed for Africa’s Future
Gilbert A. Ang’ana
Dr. Gilbert A. Ang’ana is a researcher and practitioner in leadership and governance, focusing on Africa. He is the CEO of Accent Leadership Group and the Executive Director of Accent Global Initiative, a think tank that advocates for good governance and policy innovation. He is a Policy Leader Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence.
Selected Articles
ANG’ANA, Gilbert, Re-thinking good governance in Africa : the strategic role of intra-government collaboration and responsible negotiation, International journal of research and innovation in social science, 2025, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 540-561 – https://hdl.handle.net/1814/92578
ANG’ANA, Gilbert, LEMPEREUR, Alain, From external focus to internal reflection : enhancing intra-government collaborative governance in Africa, EUI, STG, Policy Brief, 2024/31 – https://hdl.handle.net/1814/77423
