Active Civic Participation & State Responsiveness
State Capacity and Citizenship Building Research Centre (SCCB-Africa) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering strong and constructive citizen-state relations to address Africa’s pressing governance and development challenges. We believe that citizens can effectively negotiate their social contract with the state when equipped with the right knowledge, resources, skills, and mobilisation capabilities. Our work promotes active civic participation and governmental responsiveness through innovative research, capacity building, advocacy, and influencing action.
Vision
To be a leading catalyst for effective citizen-state relations, promoting equitable, accountable, and sustainable governance and development across Africa.
Mission
To advance evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development, empowering both citizens and the state to negotiate and fulfil the social contract on the continent.
The Context
Democracy and development flourish when citizens understand the political system, are aware of the state’s obligations, and actively ensure accountability. However, in many African nations, a significant disconnect persists due to corruption, weak institutional effectiveness, poverty, inequality, social exclusion, unfavourable distributive politics, injustice, and other developmental challenges.
Current governance reforms often miss the mark by overlooking both citizen engagement and governmental accountability. Effective citizen-state relations require that citizens possess the capacity, tools, and aptitude to engage, and that state institutions demonstrate both the capacity and commitment to be responsive.
For the state to fulfil its role as a protector of citizen rights, a reliable steward of resources, and provider of social welfare, two conditions are essential:
Governments’ recognition of their responsibilities to citizens and a commitment to meeting these obligations.
Citizens’ active involvement and participation in governance, beyond periodic voting. Citizens must have the space and means to exercise their voice, and in some cases, “vote with their feet” where the state appears incompetent, derelict, oppressive, or aloof from their needs.
Our Approach & Expertise
We partner with a diverse stakeholders, including local communities, governments, NGOs, and international organisations, to deliver research, training, capacity building, programme design and implementation, evaluation, policy analysis, and advocacy.
Our skilled team, with backgrounds in academia, government, private sector, and NGOs, have contributed to projects supported by collaborators like the International Science Partnerships Fund, UNICEF, Ford Foundation, UK FCDO, OSIWA, European Union Commission, Oxfam, Good Neighbours UK, ILO-OGBL, AfDB, IFAD, Government of Ghana, Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Our approach is grounded in data, research, and evidence, reflecting our commitment to evidence-based policymaking. Our thematic areas include:
Our Programs
Equitable Justice and Sentencing Reform Programme
Our Equitable Justice and Sentencing Reform Programme tackles systemic barriers in Africa’s legal systems—from prolonged pre-trial detentions to overcrowded prisons. We advocate for non-custodial sentencing, expanded legal aid, and policy reforms to ensure fair, humane justice for all.
Global Network of African Policy Process Researchers (AfriPoliNet)
AfriPoliNet connects scholars challenging Western policy theories with African perspectives. We foster collaboration, amplify local research, and bridge the gap between policymakers and evidence—because Africa’s governance solutions must stem from its realities.