Berlin, Germany – 15th April 2025 – The Secretary-General of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), Ambassador ‘Dapo Oyewole, has called on African leaders to urgently strengthen democratic governance and ensure it becomes more inclusive, responsive, and development-driven.
Ambassador Oyewole made this call during his final address as a resident Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at an expert forum hosted by the Bertelsmann Foundation in Berlin, Germany. The event, themed “Strengthening Democracy & Good Governance in Africa in a Changing World Order,” brought together global thought leaders and policy experts to reflect on the future of governance in Africa.
“The world order is evolving; new political and economic alliances are emerging, governance models are being tested, and nations are redefining their roles on the global stage. Africa cannot afford to be a bystander or merely reactive. We must be proactive and strategic architects of our democratic future,” Oyewole stated.
He stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond electoral cycles to deliver real development outcomes, including job creation, human dignity, security, justice, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Ambassador Oyewole highlighted Namibia and Senegal as promising examples of democratic progress on the continent. He commended Namibia for its historic leadership by two women as President and Vice President, and Senegal for electing a young leader not backed by political elites, showing that democratic maturity is growing in parts of Africa.
“These are signs of an exciting and transformative moment for Africa,” he said. “Across the continent, citizens are increasingly demanding accountable, transparent, and effective leadership. While challenges abound, we must also celebrate progress and build upon it.”
He emphasised that Africa’s path to sustained development lies firmly in the hands of African leaders who must be competent, visionary, and committed to service, not driven by personal connections, wealth, or affiliations.
“Africa’s future lies not in the hands of the West or the East; it lies in the hands of Africa and its leaders. Leadership must be based on competence and capacity. The choices we make now will define our future,” he warned.
As he concluded his fellowship at the Robert Bosch Academy, Ambassador Oyewole reaffirmed CoSPAL’s commitment to strengthening legislative institutions across Africa.
“We will continue working with African leaders, allies, and global partners to build strong, representative, and people-centred parliaments that can protect democratic values, uphold the rule of law, and deliver development for our people,” he concluded.
