Strategic Partnership between Italy and African Union

ECES is pleased to present a new publication highlighting the Strategic Partnership between Italy and the African Union on Electoral and Democratic Governance, implemented with the support of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).

Since 2020, this partnership, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and implemented by the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC-PAPS) in collaboration with ECES, has contributed to strengthening electoral integrity, conflict prevention, stability and democratic governance across the African continent.

The publication traces the evolution of this cooperation from Innov-Elections, initially developed to ensure continuity of electoral assistance through innovation, digitalisation and remote learning, to the broader Pro-Electoral Integrity initiative, which adopts a comprehensive approach encompassing the full electoral cycle, democratic governance and conflict prevention.

It provides an overview of the main achievements and activities implemented through the partnership, including the Continental Fora of Electoral Management Bodies and General Assemblies of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), high-level peer learning missions among African Electoral Management Bodies, support to the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), engagement with regional electoral networks, and initiatives in the fields of transitional justice, civic and voter education, digitalisation and emerging electoral challenges.

At the heart of the partnership is a commitment to African ownership, institutional cooperation and peer exchange, strengthening the capacities of Electoral Management Bodies and their networks while fostering the sharing of comparative experiences and practical responses to common electoral challenges.

This publication brings together the milestones, results and lessons of this long-standing cooperation, illustrating how the partnership between Italy, the African Union and ECES has developed into a comprehensive framework for supporting credible and inclusive elections, strengthening democratic institutions and contributing to peace and stability across Africa.