By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria — October 6, 2025:
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday welcomed a high-level delegation from the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE), marking the start of a week-long technical exchange aimed at strengthening electoral institutions and deepening democratic practices across Africa.
The Ethiopian team, led by Mr. Tesfaye Neway, Deputy Chairman of NEBE, was received at the INEC headquarters in Abuja by the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The visit, facilitated by the German Agency for International Development (GIZ) Ethiopia, is designed to promote knowledge sharing, institutional growth, and collaboration between both nations’ election management bodies.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of inter-African cooperation in advancing electoral integrity and democratic governance.
“INEC and NEBE share similar constitutional responsibilities. Over the next week, we will exchange ideas on election planning, technology deployment, voter registration, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement,” he said.
“This visit coincides with ongoing voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the February 2026 Area Council Elections, offering our guests the opportunity to witness our processes firsthand.”
The INEC Chairman further expressed appreciation to GIZ for facilitating the partnership, assuring the delegation of an interactive and enriching engagement.
“Through collaboration, our institutions can learn from one another to deliver more credible, transparent, and peaceful elections across Africa,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of NEBE, Mr. Tesfaye Neway described the exchange as a timely opportunity to strengthen institutional learning and foster enduring partnerships among African electoral bodies.
“Our visit is part of an experience and exposure mission aimed at building strategic partnerships. Democracy grows stronger when institutions learn from one another,” he said. “We are particularly keen to learn from Nigeria’s advancements in voter registration, technology integration, civic education, and stakeholder coordination.”
Also speaking, Mr. Abera Hailemariam, Executive Director of CECOE, underscored the vital role of civil society in promoting electoral integrity and inclusivity.
“We are interested in understanding how Nigeria effectively delivers voter education in diverse local languages and contexts,” he noted, commending INEC’s innovations and commitment to collaboration.
The one-week exchange programme will feature nine technical sessions covering Nigeria’s electoral framework, operational strategies, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.
Following the courtesy visit and group photographs, the Ethiopian delegation and INEC officials began a closed-door technical session to formally commence the week’s activities.
Attendees at the event included INEC National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical aides, and senior officials.
