Pan-African Parliament and Afrobarometer Forge Strategic Partnership

MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA – The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and Afrobarometer officially cemented a new strategic partnership today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The ceremony, held on July 29, 2025, in Midrand, South Africa, marks a significant step towards integrating citizen-focused data into continental policy-making. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP, emphasized the profound significance of the collaboration.

“This is more than a ceremonial gesture,” he stated, “It is the beginning of a strategic partnership rooted in shared values – a commitment to democratic governance, evidence-based policy-making, and the amplification of African voices.” Afrobarometer, a renowned pan-African research network conducting public opinion surveys across over 30 African countries, will provide the PAP with crucial insights into the aspirations, concerns, and expectations of African citizens. This data, covering areas such as governance, economic performance, public service delivery, and human rights, will serve as a vital resource for the legislative body. The MOU outlines key objectives, including leveraging Afrobarometer data to inform PAP debates and policy proposals, enhancing oversight and advocacy through citizen-focused evidence, and building capacity among Members of Parliament to engage critically with data.

Ultimately, the partnership aims to foster a culture of accountability and transparency across Africa’s governance landscape. President Charumbira concluded by highlighting the transformative potential of the collaboration. “Data, when used with purpose and political will, can drive the change our continent urgently needs,” he asserted, urging Members of Parliament to embrace this partnership as a tool for transformative leadership. This marks the beginning of a journey where knowledge and policy converge to serve the people of Africa.