Social Media and Public Policy Process in Africa: Enhanced Policy Process in Digital Age

Abstract

In recent times, civic engagement in policy process has been emphasized globally but channels to facilitate public participation in policy process in Africa remain unexplored. Given the conservative nature of policy process in most of Africa countries, the study examined level of social media use for civic engagement among government/policymakers and proposed a model to enhance policy process in a digital community using Easton’s theory of political analysis. The study employed case studies, descriptive and correlation analysis covering 53 African countries. Findings revealed that social media use has taken new shape in respect of citizens’ engagement in electoral process in Africa but its use for civic engagement in policy process was very low (and below global average); that increase investment in telecommunication infrastructures is yet to have significant effect on human capital ICT literacy in Africa. Investment in ICTs should include building of human capital ICT literacy and policymakers should explore citizens’ engagement online and adjust policies to incorporate technology in sub-regional and national development plans.