Daniel Adugna & Siwe Ntombela on The African Union Civic Tech Fund and the Future of Innovation in Africa

In this episode of the Civic Tech in Africa podcast, Nathi Mcetywa discusses the African Union Civic Tech Fund (AUCTF) with Daniel Adugna and Siwe Ntombela. They explore the fund's objectives, the importance of civic tech in promoting citizen engagement, and the alignment with Agenda 2063. The conversation highlights the achievements of the first cohort of grantees, the selection process for new projects, and the training provided to enhance their capacity. The episode concludes with a look at the diverse range of innovative projects being developed by grantees across the continent.

Takeaways
-The African Union Civic Tech Fund aims to drive citizen-led transformative action.
-Civic tech connects citizens with their governments and promotes transparency.
-Agenda 2063 serves as Africa's blueprint for development and integration.
-The first cohort of grantees achieved significant networking and collaboration.
-348 applications were received for the current round of funding.
-Training focuses on advocacy, leadership, and collaboration skills.
-Diverse projects include innovations in agriculture, education, and gender-based violence.
-Civic tech is growing beyond traditional governance issues.
-The fund emphasizes youth participation in civic tech initiatives.