The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently welcomed a delegation from Ethiopia‘s National Election Board (NEBE) alongside representatives from the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE). This visit was designed as a platform for exchanging knowledge and enhancing democratic governance and institutional partnerships between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
During the reception in Abuja, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu highlighted the significance of this collaboration as a landmark in electoral cooperation within Africa. He pointed out that Nigeria and Ethiopia share numerous commonalities, including diverse ethnic compositions and federal political systems.
“Both nations are characterized by multi-ethnic and multi-religious populations and operate under federal structures. Together, Nigeria and Ethiopia represent about 25% of Africa’s total population,” Yakubu remarked.
He further explained that NEBE and INEC have parallel constitutional mandates encompassing election administration, voter education, and political party regulation.
The week-long engagement includes nine focused technical sessions addressing key areas such as strategic election planning, the integration of technology in voter registration, ensuring inclusivity for displaced communities, engaging stakeholders effectively, and exploring the influence of media and civil society in electoral processes.
Additionally, the Ethiopian delegation will have the opportunity to observe Nigeria’s current voter registration activities in the Federal Capital Territory, ahead of the 2026 Area Council elections. Yakubu described this as a valuable chance for practical observation and direct interaction with election officials and other stakeholders.
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Yakubu also expressed gratitude to the German Agency for International Development (GIZ) for facilitating this exchange, noting that two GIZ representatives accompanied the Ethiopian team.
In response, Tesfaye Neway, NEBE’s deputy chairman, praised INEC’s progressive approach to election management, particularly its innovative use of technology, stakeholder collaboration, and voter education initiatives.
“Under your stewardship, INEC has emerged as one of Africa’s most esteemed electoral bodies,” Neway stated. “We look forward to learning from your advancements as we work to modernize our own electoral framework.”
He acknowledged shared challenges such as combating misinformation, preventing electoral violence, and addressing voter disengagement, emphasizing that ongoing cooperation and mutual learning are essential for strengthening democracy across the continent.
Abera Hailemariam, CECOE’s executive director, highlighted the importance of this visit for Ethiopian civil society groups seeking to enhance their voter education, election monitoring, and civic engagement efforts, especially within Ethiopia’s linguistically and culturally diverse environment.
“Founded in 2018, our organization has drawn inspiration from African institutions like INEC,” Hailemariam said. “This exchange will inform how we adopt new technologies and improve election observation practices.”
He also stressed CECOE’s interest in understanding the dynamics of collaboration between Nigerian civil society and electoral authorities, noting that such partnerships are crucial for ensuring credible and peaceful elections.
Supported by the United Nations and GIZ, this visit aims to deepen institutional ties between INEC and NEBE, fostering knowledge sharing, democratic resilience, and enhanced regional cooperation in election administration throughout Africa.