Insights from Civic Participatory Institutions in South Africa and Nigeria

This report, developed by UNDP’s Global Policy Centre for Governance in collaboration with UNDP Nigeria and South Africa, examines the role of civic participation in shaping just energy transition plans (ETPs) in Nigeria and South Africa. It explores how participatory institutions operate in practice and whether they contribute to equitable outcomes, recognizing that energy transitions are not merely technical exercises but deeply political and social processes.

Empirical evidence was gathered through desk reviews and interviews with key stakeholders. The findings reveal that while both Nigeria and South Africa have shown commitment to inclusive governance, challenges remain in translating participation into meaningful outcomes.

The report concludes that achieving a just energy transition requires co-production—ongoing collaboration between state and non-state actors throughout the policy cycle. It offers actionable recommendations at institutional, political, and technical levels to embed continuous participation, broaden engagement, and democratize access to knowledge and decision-making.