Nkafu Wins FCFA 215M Grant To Promote Women’s Rights, Accountability, Security, Integrated Governance In ECCAS

By Andrew Nsoseka

The Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation has received a two-year, $355,000 (approximately FCFA, 215 million) grant from Open Society Foundations to promote women’s rights, accountability, security, and integrated governance in the ECCAS region.

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) includes eleven central African countries and faces major challenges notably rising authoritarianism, non-respect of basic rights especially women’s rights, growing insecurity and contested governance. Think tanks, or independent policy research institutions, are critical in promoting open governance, accountability, the rule of law, and respect for basic human rights. ECCAS includes Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, DR Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

“We are extremely honored to partner with Open Society Foundations on this new initiative which we hope will have lasting impact in promoting women’s rights and agency in the sub-region” noted Dr Denis Foretia, Co-Chair of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation and the Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute. “The project will strengthen the research capacity of ECCAS think tanks, identify and promote the development of civil society leaders especially women leaders, and building a regional advocacy network for pragmatic policy engagement” added Dr Foretia.

Professor Robert Nantchouang, Director of Nkafu noted that, “the new project is an opportunity for the Nkafu Policy Institute to share its experience with fellow think tanks across the continent and within ECCAS in particular and to contribute to realising not only the Africa We Want but the Africa We Must Have”.

Among other things, the project will also engage policymakers in accelerating regional integration especially with regards to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Nkafu Policy Institute

The Nkafu Policy Institute is a nonpartisan, independent think tank at the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Its mission is to provide independent, in-depth and insightful policy recommendations that advance the Cameroonian economy and the economies of other sub-Saharan African countries. Nkafu seeks to advance public policies that help all Africans prosper in free, fair, and sustainable economies. Its reputation is founded on its independence, high quality research and innovative policy prescriptions.

Open Society Foundation -Africa

OSF-Africa’s vision has a vision to build a globally respected, vibrant, and integrated Africa, characterised by democratic governance, sustainable development, and economic systems that deliver more just, inclusive, and accountable outcomes with and for the people and environment in Africa. In pursuit of this vision, OSF-Africa’s mission is to advance gender justice and women’s rights, deepen democracy, accountable governance, and inclusive development in Africa through participatory and strategic grant-making and advocacy.