In recent years, the global civic space has been shrinking at an alarming rate. Governments are cutting budgets, laying off staff, and scaling back initiatives that support openness, transparency and accountability. At the same time, restrictions on civil society, the media, and digital freedoms are making it harder for citizens to access information, engage with decision-makers, and demand better governance.  

But this is not the time to retreat. Now, more than ever, we must push for more openness, not less.  

The Threat of Shrinking Transparency

Across the world, we see a troubling trend: funding for programs that promote open data, participatory governance, and civic engagement is dwindling. Governments that once championed transparency are quietly closing doors, making it harder for citizens to access crucial public information. Budget cuts are often justified as necessary cost-saving measures, but in reality, they are weakening the very structures that hold power to account.  

When transparency efforts are deprioritised, risks abound:  

• Corruption thrives in secrecy. Without open data and accessible financial records, misuse of public funds goes unchecked.
• Citizens lose trust in institutions. If governments withhold information, public confidence erodes, leading to disengagement and skepticism.
• Development efforts are weakened. Transparent governance ensures that resources reach the communities that need them most. Without it, development risks becoming inefficient, ineffective, or even exploitative. 

Open Data as a Safeguard for Democracy  

Open data is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet – it is a crucial tool for citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations to track government spending, evaluate policy impact, and advocate for change. Countries that embrace open data frameworks tend to have stronger institutions, better service delivery, and more engaged citizens.  

In Africa, access to open government data is critical for citizens demanding accountability, yet many countries are lagging behind. The African Union Data Policy Framework recognises the growing recognition of data as a public good that must be accessible and well-governed. However, implementation remains inconsistent.  

When budgets are transparent and spending data is publicly accessible, communities can ensure that promised infrastructure projects are completed, social services are adequately funded, and emergency responses are handled efficiently. Openness doesn’t just improve governance—it saves lives.  

Civil Society Must Step Up  

If governments are pulling back on transparency, it falls on civil society to push forward. We must:  

• Advocate for stronger commitments to openness at national and international levels. 
• Develop independent data-sharing platforms that provide citizens with the information they need.
• Hold leaders accountable by investigating and exposing governance failures. 
• Educate communities on the power of data-driven advocacy. 

The Open Government Partnership is playing its part in continuing to push for more transparency, providing resources that enhance civil society’s important work during this crucial time. In Africa, organizations like ours, and others like Code for Africa and BudgIT Africa have been instrumental in leveraging open data for public accountability. These initiatives demonstrate that when citizens have access to data, they have the power to drive change.  

We Need More Openness, Not Less  

The world is at a crossroads. Will we accept a future where information is controlled and civic spaces are restricted, or will we demand more openness, more transparency, and more citizen participation?  

This is not just a challenge for governments—it is a call to action for all of us. Civil society, journalists, and engaged citizens must rally together to keep transparency at the center of governance. Because when we lose access to information, we lose the ability to shape our own future.  

The answer is clear: We must push for more openness, not less.  

Get involved:  

• Join the Open Knowledge Network – https://okfn.org/
• Support Civic Tech Initiatives – https://civictech.africa/  
• Explore Open Government Resources – https://www.opengovpartnership.org/
• Follow African Open Data Initiatives – https://africaopendata.org/