Highlighting Ushahidi’s Ongoing Role in the African Union Civic Tech Fund (AUCTF) 2.0

At Ushahidi, we believe in the power of citizen engagement through digital technologies to solve global societal challenges and create more transparent, accountable governance. Since our founding in 2008, we have leveraged open-source technology to empower people everywhere to easily gather data and generate insights that help tackle issues that matter the most to them. We are honoured to serve as an implementation partner in the African Union Civic Tech Fund (AUCTF) 2.0, an ongoing initiative dedicated to supporting and scaling impactful civic tech innovations across the African continent.

 

What is the AUCTF, and Why is it Important?

The AUCTF - presenting an opportunity for dynamic African initiatives to catalyse and scale their innovative civic tech solutions - was established to provide both financial and technical support to African civic tech innovations that address pressing challenges such as governance, transparency, citizen participation, and social accountability. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, this fund seeks to nurture solutions that can strengthen democracy, promote sustainable development, and empower marginalized communities across Africa.

Through the program, grantees are receiving tailored capacity building, mentorship, and resources to scale their projects effectively and achieve measurable impact at local, national, and continental levels. The initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 - Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.

AUCTF grantees and project team at CTIF

 

Our Role in the AUCTF

As an implementation partner, Ushahidi is overseeing the delivery of key aspects of the program, including:

• Capacity building and mentorship: We are facilitating a series of hands-on training modules and masterclasses designed to strengthen grantees' skills in strategic leadership, effective communications, and pitching.
• Ongoing project support: Our team is providing technical guidance and feedback throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring grantees are equipped to develop sustainable, impactful solutions.
• Facilitating collaboration and ecosystem building: We are fostering cross-learning and collaboration among grantees, partners, and stakeholders to encourage the exchange of best practices and innovative ideas.

Our work is focused on technical implementation and building stronger ecosystems that allow civic tech solutions to thrive. By helping grantees connect their projects to broader policy frameworks, including the African Union’s policy agenda, we aim to ensure that their innovations create long-term systemic impact.

 

Why This Matters to Ushahidi

Our participation in the AUCTF aligns perfectly with Ushahidi’s mission to mobilize the power of citizens via technology for systemic change. As we engage in this program, we are extending our expertise and platform to empower more civic actors across Africa. This opportunity allows us to amplify the impact of innovative solutions, scale grassroots initiatives, and connect with communities working towards a shared vision of accountable governance and citizen empowerment.

The AUCTF also provides a valuable platform for collaborating with other thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers across Africa. It allows us to continue evolving our approach to civic engagement, ensuring that our work remains relevant, impactful, and responsive to the needs of citizens in an increasingly digital world.

 

Looking Ahead

We are enthusiatic about the journey ahead with the AUCTF program and the opportunity to work alongside the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the African Union Commission (AUC) to empower civic tech leaders across the continent. This program represents a collective investment in Africa’s civic future.

In our next update, we’ll take you behind the scenes of how we designed and developed the capacity-building program. Stay tuned!