The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) has announced a new strategic direction focused on strengthening digital resilience, expanding civic technology, and promoting sustainable African-led financing for civil society organisations (CSOs) across West Africa. The announcement was made during a press briefing in Accra as part of WACSI’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Omolara Balogun, WACSI’s Head of Policy Influencing and Advocacy, highlighted that the initiative responds to a rapidly changing civic environment characterized by restricted freedoms, online surveillance, and declining donor support. She noted that over 85 percent of CSOs in the region rely heavily on foreign funding, which is increasingly unstable. The new strategy prioritizes locally sustained, African-led financing models to reduce dependency and enhance long-term resilience.
Balogun also stated that WACSI will increase investments in civic technology, digital advocacy tools, cybersecurity, and online safety training. These measures aim to equip CSOs with the skills and capacities needed to operate effectively despite growing threats to online civic space.
WACSI’s Executive Director, Dr. Nana Afadzinu, emphasized that the future of civic engagement is inseparable from digital freedom and security. She warned that shrinking civic space across ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States requires civil society actors to adopt higher levels of innovation and preparedness. Dr. Afadzinu stressed that safeguarding digital rights is essential to maintaining citizen participation and democratic accountability.
The strategic plan also aims to deepen continental partnerships, amplify policy-influencing work, and strengthen organizational leadership and governance, enabling CSOs to withstand emerging political and technological pressures.
During the briefing, media representatives and WACSI board members reflected on governance trends and called on communities, governments, and donors to protect civic freedoms. As part of the anniversary activities, a health talk was also held to highlight the importance of the well-being and resilience of civil society leaders.
Marking both a milestone and an inflection point, WACSI’s new strategic direction seeks to build a digitally empowered, financially independent, and governance-ready civil society sector capable of defending rights, influencing policy, and elevating citizen voices across West Africa in the coming years.
