What does inclusive governance look like in practice, and what needs to change for political institutions and electoral processes to better reflect the societies they serve? 

These questions shaped the second edition of The Africa Brief, UNDP Africa’s media engagement platform, which brought together journalists and UNDP experts for a discussion on inclusive governance in Africa, with a particular focus on women’s political leadership and inclusive elections. 

The session examined current trends, opportunities and challenges affecting political participation across the continent, combining short expert presentations with an interactive exchange with journalists and participants. 

Advancing women’s political leadership 

Aimee Muziranenge, Regional Gender Specialist at the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, led the discussion on women’s political leadership. 

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in gender, governance and peacebuilding, she explored the progress made in advancing women’s participation in political and public life, as well as the barriers that continue to affect women’s ability to participate and exercise influence in decision-making. 

The discussion looked beyond representation alone to consider the broader conditions that enable meaningful political leadership, including institutional frameworks, political participation and the environments in which women seek and exercise leadership. 

Aimee has contributed to the development of gender equality and women’s empowerment laws and policies, as well as inclusive peacebuilding processes. She previously led the Transformational Governance portfolio at UNDP Rwanda and has held leadership roles in organizations working on women’s and young people’s participation. 

Making elections more inclusive 

The second part of the briefing focused on the relationship between elections and inclusive governance. 

Robert Gerenge, Regional Electoral Advisor for Africa at the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, examined the factors that shape inclusive, participatory and credible electoral processes. 

Drawing on his involvement in more than 70 political and electoral processes across Africa, including in post-conflict and transition settings, Robert discussed electoral participation, the role of institutions and some of the broader challenges facing electoral governance across the continent. 

His experience spans work with election management bodies, the African Union, international organizations and electoral assistance institutions, as well as research and teaching on electoral administration, electoral violence, political participation and elections in fragile and post-conflict contexts. 

The discussion highlighted the importance of looking at elections as part of a wider governance system, where participation, representation, institutional credibility and public confidence are closely connected. 

A conversation with journalists 

Following the expert presentations, journalists and participants engaged directly with the speakers through an interactive Q&A. 

The exchange provided an opportunity to examine how questions of representation and participation translate into political practice, from the conditions affecting women’s leadership to the institutional and electoral arrangements that shape who can participate and how. 

By creating space for direct engagement between journalists and technical experts, The Africa Brief seeks to support more informed reporting on the governance issues shaping the continent and to connect public debate with evidence, policy experience and regional perspectives. 

About The Africa Brief 

The Africa Brief is a media engagement platform by UNDP Africa that provides journalists and media practitioners with access to analysis, country perspectives and expert insight on key development issues shaping the continent. 

Its first edition focused on political transitions in Africa, examining questions of trust, inclusion, institutional performance and recovery. The second edition continued that conversation on governance by turning attention to women’s political leadership and inclusive elections.