Expanding the Voice of Ordinary Africans: The Afrobarometer Journey

E. Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director, Afrobarometer and Ghana Center for Democratic Development; Political Scientist; Author

Until recently, almost nothing was known about the values and preferences of most Africans. Afrobarometer has changed this—by interviewing nearly a quarter of a million ordinary citizens across 36 countries in all regions of Africa since 1999. As a result, we can now make important, and often surprising, generalizations about what Africans think. Gyimah-Boadi will share insights from Afrobarometer as well as its progress and challenges in making public opinion data a pillar of African policy-making, building African capacity for high-quality opinion surveys, and sustaining this vital project of “giving voice to the people” in Africa.