The Africa Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF)

The Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa (MDP) has partnered with National Associations in Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe to develop a video based community of practice on municipal governance.  ALGAF was put in place in May 2000 as a follow-up to the AFRICITIES summit and the Victoria Falls Ministerial Declaration.  ALGAF has remained in existence for more than seven years and has convened over 1,000 local government officials annually.  The implementation success can be attributed to the demand-driven nature of the initiative and strong ownership at the local government level to drive the decentralization agenda forward.

ALGAF is widely regarded by local government officials as a neutral and effective learning platform "owned and operated" by African local governments.  Participants define three themes to be addressed during the year and presentations are made from each of the sites.  This polycentric management has transformed into a highly effective and participatory learning platform for local governments.  The implementation success can be attributed to the demand-driven nature of the initiative and strong ownership at the local government level to drive the decentralization agenda forward.  More information on ALGAF can be accessed at http://go.worldbank.org/TH6CO89OV0, as well as at the MDP's ALGAF page http://www.mdpafrica.org.zw/algaf.html where you will find the presentations from 2001 to date.

Forum d'Action pour la Gouvernance Locale en Afrique Francophone (FAGLAF) 
 
The FAGLAF, a francophone African network of decentralization practitioners, is a platform for knowledge sharing on key issues related to good local governance in Africa; it was launched on March 27, 2008.  It brings together local government practitioners as well as CSO representatives from seven African countries (Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, Niger, Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania) through monthly videoconferences.  The objective is to help inform policy making and implementation for greater accountability in decentralized service delivery and strengthened local institutions.

The francophone network will emulate the anglophone network--the Africa Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF)--which links seven countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Since its inception in May 2000, ALGAF promoted peer-to-peer learning between participating countries, supported sharing of expertise on subjects such as participatory budgeting, local economic development, HIV/AIDS, social accountability, and others. It is a cost effective way of reaching local government authorities, service providers, academics, and NGOs in Africa. ALGAF provides access to experts and world class resources.

WBI has worked jointly with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), World Bank Social Development Network (SDN), Public Sector Reform & Capacity Building, Africa Region (AFTPR), and National Associations of Local Governments to kick off this initiative.