News

Parliamentary stakeholders from across Africa are set to convene in Kampala, Uganda, for the inaugural Africa Regional Conference on Parliament and Legislation (AFRIPAL) from 18–20 June 2025. The conference seeks to examine the role of African parliaments in addressing the continent’s development challenges through inclusive, accountable, and future-oriented legislation. 

AFRIPAL will be held under the theme “Parliaments in Africa: Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Development,” with sessions covering topics such as post-legislative scrutiny, the 4th Industrial Revolution and AI, emergency responsiveness, and parliamentary partnerships and learning. The convening will bring together policymakers, researcher, and practitioners committed to legislative transformation. 

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) will play a central role at the event. Highlights of AFIDEP’s participation include a side event by the Africa Integrity Indicators (AII) project, where AII data will be used to inform discussions on the responsiveness, accountability, legitimacy, and inclusiveness of African parliaments. 

18 June 2025 

• Dr Eliya Zulu, AFIDEP’s Executive Director, will give remarks during the Opening Ceremony.
  Time: 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM EAT, Nile Hall 

• Dr Mziwandile Ndlovu, Anglophone Africa Project Manager (AII), will serve as Session Chair in the session on Regional Parliaments and Legislation in Africa.
  Time: 14:00 PM –15:00 PM EAT, Rwizi Hall 

• AFIDEP’s Africa Integrity Indicators (AII) project will host a side event on Legislative Legitimacy, Parliamentary Openness and Gender Inclusivity.
  Time: 16:00 PM –17:00 PM EAT, Rwizi Hall 

19 June 2025 

• Dr Alex Jiya, AII Project Lead and Acting Head of Governance and Accountability at AFIDEP, will co-chair the session on Ideals of Parliament.
  Time: 09:00 AM –11:00 AM EAT, Nile Hall 

• Dr Eliya Zulu, AFIDEP’s Executive Director, will moderate the fishbowl session titled “The Role of Parliaments in Optimising Development Financing.” Mary Mwami, Research and Policy Associate at AFIDEP, will also present during the session.
  Time: 14:00–15:00 EAT, Zambezi Hall 

AFRIPAL is organised in partnership with the Parliament of Uganda, the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), the Population and Social Development Institute (PSDI), the International Association for Legislation (IAL), and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). The conference presents a unique opportunity for legislative actors to reflect, share, and innovate around the future of parliamentary governance in Africa. 

Learn more: AFRIPAL