African Decentralization Day 2026: Pathways to Effective Decentralization in Africa
On Monday August 10, 2026, UNDP will celebrate African Decentralization Day 2026 with a webinar under the theme “Pathways to Effective Decentralization in Africa.”
More than a decade after the adoption of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development, decentralization across Africa continues to face important political, institutional, and fiscal constraints. In many countries, reforms have resulted in administrative deconcentration rather than genuine devolution, leaving local governments with limited authority and fiscal autonomy.
The webinar will bring together African decentralization experts and local government leaders to explore what distinguishes successful devolution from reforms that remain largely deconcentrated; which reforms have improved service delivery, accountability, and local development; and how fiscal decentralization should evolve in response to urbanization, climate change, and demographic pressures.
The webinar is convened by UNDP, with opening and closing remarks by Ms. Nirina Kiplagat, Governance and Peacebuilding Coordinator, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA). The panel discussion will be moderated by Ms. Nadine Rugwe, Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor and Team Lead, UNDP WACA. Speakers include Dr. Charles Nyuykonge, Co-Founder of Peacebuilders Without Borders; Mr. Francois Menguele, Secretary General of UCLG Africa; Mr. Eric Talardia Kondia, Permanent Secretary of the Council of Local Authorities of the West African Economic and Monetary Union; Ms. Rose Gertrude Buyinga, Secretary General of the East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA); and Mr. Jamie Boex, Executive Director of the Local Public Sector Alliance.
Date: Monday, 10 August 2026
Time: 10:00 am –12:00 noon GMT / 13:00–15:00 (Nairobi)
Venue: Online via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting:
Join the African Decentralization Day webinar
(https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71116431149?pwd=Bw7PTdQQy0dscdAkdm21Azea8u9Tu0.1)
Meeting ID: 711 1643 1149
Secret code: 3furWp
