Action Group on Free Civic Space

ARE YOU GEARING UP FOR AFRICA'S BIGGEST CIVIL SOCIETY-LED CONVENING ON AML/CFT? Join us for the 3rd High-Level Africa AML/CFT Conference on 14-17 of July 2026, bringing together policymakers, regulators, civil society actors, financial experts, and key stakeholders from across the continent to discuss ways of building locally-rooted solutions for curbing financial crimes in Africa, while ensuring that measures enforced to combat money laundering and terrorism financing do not disrupt civil society operations or harm local communities. The Conference will feature: - Insightful Masterclasses 🎓🧠 - High-level plenary sessions ⚡🔝 - Interactive panel sessions 🎤🗣️📝 - Networking opportunities 🌐🔗👥 - Exciting group tours 🚌📍🗺️ Be part of this continental platform for conferences within a conference, convened around the theme: "Implementing FATF Recommendation 8 Correctly: Practices, Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Reform". For more information and registration, click here 👉 shorturl.at/0n9wF #3AMLCFT2026 #AML #CFT

Despite these challenges, the conversations reflected resilience, optimism, and a shared commitment to defending a free, safe, and open civic space. The retreat fostered learning exchanges, group reflection, and stronger collaboration for the work ahead. #CivicSpace #HumanRight

Members highlighted growing restrictions, including arrests and arbitrary detention of civic actors, surveillance, and the forceful dispersal of protests. #Nigeria

Over 40 representatives from civil society organisations, civic actors, activists, and journalists gathered for the 2026 Action Group on Free Civic Space Retreat to reflect, strategize, and strengthen collaboration.

Ongoing! The Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), in partnership with @KDI_ng, with support from @FundHumanRights is convening a multi-stakeholder roundtable examining the implications of the Public Order Act on civic freedoms in Nigeria.

Act and related legislation. Your voice and perspective as a social actor are critical to shaping practical, reform-oriented solutions.

INVITATION: Online Policy Roundtable on Security & Civic Space Dear Comrades, The Open Society on Justice Reform Project (OSJRP) @⁨Sam Akpologun⁩, in partnership with the Action Group on Free Civic Space, with support from the Fund for Global Human Rights

This dialogue will bring together legislators, senior police officers, civil society leaders, media professionals, and legal experts to examine the intersection between security laws, civic space, and accountability, with particular focus on the application of the Cybercrimes

invites you to participate in a high-level Online Policy Roundtable under the Security and Civic Space Project. 🗓 Date: Monday 26th January | Tues 27th January | Thursday 29th January 2026 ⏰ Time: 1:00PM each day 💻 Venue: Zoom Zoom Link: is.gd/osjrpRoundTable

in pushing back against civic space restrictions in Nigeria.

At the media and press briefing held last week at our Secretariat, SPACES FOR CHANGE, the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) officially welcomed back Comrade Emmanuel Acha after over 250 days in detention.

During the briefing, civic actors, lawyers, coalition members, and media practitioners shared their reflections on the case and the broader realities of the civic space in Nigeria, ultimately calling for strengthened collaboration between the media and civil society groups

The gathering provided both media partners and coalition members with the opportunity to reflect on the advocacy measures and legal battles that led to his discharge and acquittal.

Justice prevailed. Join us on 16 January as we reflect on the judicial victory of Emmanuel Acha, the collective action that made it possible, and what it means for the future of civic space in Nigeria.

Makoko people are saying NO to the continuing demolition of their lands, homes ans busineses, leaving hundreds homeless, and their livelihoods destroyed!

Are you a journalist, blogger, CSO, or nonprofit in West Africa? Apply to CSR-Hub’s Digital Security Clinic (DSC) and Regulatory Compliance Clinic (RCC) for support on digital safety, governance, and compliance. RCC - shorturl.at/8hIXF DSC - shorturl.at/qFwKW

As we close for the year, we extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners for their invaluable support and collaboration, which made these outcomes possible.

This is our scorecard as we wind down the curtains on 2025! We thank all our staff and Board members, donors, partners, communities, government agencies and allies all over the world who accompanied us on this journey. Let's do more in 2026!