Nairobi, Kenya – The Africa Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations Network (APMON) played a key role at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Africa & Middle East Regional Meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya. The high-profile gathering brought together up to 500 participants, including national OGP ministers, local leaders, civil society representatives, and global partners under the theme “Rebuilding Trust through Open Government.”

APMON was proudly represented by its Chair, Ms. Caroline Gaita, and Secretary-General, Mr. Sammy Obeng.

APMON’s Active Engagement in Open Government Dialogues

The network’s East African Lead, Mzalendo Trust, hosted a pivotal discussion on sustaining civil society engagement for Open Government. The session explored best practices for ensuring active civic participation in governance and strengthening accountability mechanisms.

On the second day of the conference, APMON’s West African Lead, Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica), facilitated an engaging conversation on strengthening democracy through Open Parliaments. The discussion emphasized the role of legislative institutions in enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and citizen participation.

Driving Legislative Openness Across Africa

PNAfrica’s Executive Director, Sammy Obeng, played a key role in various plenary, breakout, and side event sessions. He was a speaker at the Legislative Openness Session on Wednesday, where he joined MPs and civil society representatives from Kenya, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire to share insights on making parliamentary processes more open and accessible to the public.

“As a leader in Open Parliament in Africa, I remain committed to driving reforms that ensure parliaments are not just accessible but actively engage citizens in decision-making,” Obeng stated. He highlighted the importance of legislative transparency, participatory governance, and accountability in strengthening democracy.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and advocate for stronger parliamentary openness initiatives across the region.

Building Partnerships for Open Government

Throughout the conference, APMON leaders engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including national OGP ministers, local government officials, civil society organizations, and international partners. The discussions reinforced the importance of collaboration in fostering transparent governance structures that rebuild trust between governments and citizens.

APMON remains dedicated to advancing legislative openness, civil society engagement, and democratic governance across Africa. By participating in key platforms like the OGP Africa & Middle East Regional Meeting, the network continues to push the boundaries of transparency and accountability in parliamentary processes.

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentafrica.com