The State of Governance in Africa: Formal Rules, Informal Realities and Strategies for Change

The State of Governance in Africa: Formal Rules, Informal Realities and Strategies for Change

The State of Governance in Africa: Formal Rules, Informal Realities and Strategies for Change

18-20 November 2008 Birchwood Hotel

The quality of governance is a key factor in African crises - from Zimbabwe to Congo to Kenya. Indeed, the ousting of President Thabo Mbeki and subsequent creation of a new political party in South Africa reflect problems of governance.

The International Monetary Fund and many donors have emphasized reforming the structures of state to impose tighter rules on expenditure and better checks and balances. But 20 years of structural adjustment has not always worked. The nascent African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is yet to bear its full fruit.

The South African Institute of International Affairs invites members of the press to attend an international conference of African activists and scholars to ask what is arguably the most important question confronting Africa in the 21st century:

What weaknesses in formal systems of governance, political incentives and informal rules of political conduct lead to poor governance in Africa and what can be done to improve?

‘The State of Governance in Africa: Formal Rules, Informal Realities and Strategies for Change' runs from 18-20 November 2008 near OR Tambo International Airport. It brings together experts from the academia, think tanks, the development community and civil society across the continent to assess the state of governance in Africa, the informal practices and incentives of political competition, and potential solutions to bring about greater democracy, stability and developmental success.

Patrick Chabal, the internationally acclaimed political theorist, will kick off the conference with a  keynote speech analysing how political and economic incentives make corruption and patrimonial rule profitable and effective for ruling elites.

Other key sessions include:

An examination of competing theories to explain poor governance.

The dynamics of competition and personal rule and the difficulty of restraining executive power

Elections and the incentives facing parties and politicians

The APRM and the opportunity it presents to strengthen accountable government.

Corruption and public accountability.

Journalists wishing to attend or arrange interviews with any of the attached participants can contact SAIIA Media Liaison Officer Leaza Kolkenbeck-Ruh: Tel. +27 (0)11 339 2021, Cell. +27 (0)82 427 6212, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or the Conference Coordinator Joyce Driver: Cell+27 (0)72 631 6514 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The conference will take place from 18-20 November 2008 at the Birchwood Conference Centre.