Highlights from the Civic Tech Innovation Forum 2024

By Rofhatutshedzwa Ramaswiela

The Civic Tech Innovation Forum 2024 (CTIF24), organised by the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN), peeled back the layers of technology, and allowed participants to dive deep into the intersections of community-driven innovation, and reflect on the role each of us plays in shaping the future of civic tech.

The event took place from the 28 to the 31 October 2024 in Johannesburg. 

Key themes:

1. Exploring the Tech that powers our society

At the CTIF24, participants got the rare opportunity to explore the marketplace that brought the most innovative civic tech solutions across Africa and beyond. From a curated solar-powered initiative to the health and climate risks in African Cities App, participants got an insider’s view of how these technologies are built, deployed, and evolving and got to understand the mechanics of tech that are reshaping how citizens interact with institutions and each other.

2. Community at the core: Projects that inspire

Civic tech is nothing without community, and this year’s conference highlighted how community-driven projects such as The Teacher Bank in Nigeria and the Soweto Rotary Community Corps are redefining civic participation. Many inspiring stories from local changemakers who have used technology to address real-world challenges, from improving access to public services to increasing government accountability were shared. These sessions will showcase the power of co-creation, where are the civic tech community development opportunities and how communities are not just users but active designers of the tech solutions that serve them.

3. The Self in Civic Tech: Personal reflection and growth

This year’s theme also turned the spotlight inward. How do our personal values, biases, and experiences shape the civic tech we create and use? Questions around how can we grow as individuals to better serve our communities through technology were the source of reflection. These reflective sessions presented by Ubuntu Lab, encouraged participants to explore the role of self-awareness, ethical responsibility, and personal growth in driving more meaningful and equitable civic tech solutions. 

4. Hands-On Learning: Skill-Building and workshops

The event also had hands-on Masterclasses that provided tools and skills needed to make an impact in the civic tech ecosystem. Participants got to learn how to use Afrobarometer’s open access data, Hackathoning our Future, faciliated by Geekulcha, leveraging technology towards integrated National Data Systems (Open Institute), and navigating the ethics of tech design (Campaign on Digital Ethics).

Watch: Associate Professor Geci Karuri-Sebina talk about CTIF24

5. Interactive dialogue and networking

Plenty connections were made with a vibrant community of innovators, activists, policymakers, and technologists from across Africa because the sessions were interactive sessions, sparking meaningful dialogue, allowing you to share your ideas, opportunities, challenges, and insights.

6. In-Depth Conversations on digital rights and ethics

As the world becomes more digitally connected, issues of digital rights, privacy, and ethics are more pressing than ever. There was cutting-edge discussions on the importance of protecting digital freedoms in the face of increasing surveillance and data exploitation.

7. Showcasing the best of African Civic Tech

Africa is at the forefront of innovative civic tech, and CTIF24 highlighted some of the continent’s most groundbreaking projects from our AUCTF2.0 Grantees. From mobile apps driving civic engagement in rural areas to platforms enhancing government transparency, these success stories demonstrated the incredible potential of civic tech to create positive, lasting change. 

8. The future of Civic Tech: Where do we go from here?

The final day of CTIF24 featured forward-looking sessions that ask the big question: What is relevant tech for Africa? How can Africans drive tech innovation and design tools and platforms that meet Africa’s challenges? Visionary leaders spoke about the future trends in technology, policy, and social innovation that will shape how we engage in the years to come.