State-NGO Relations in Africa

Abstract

The objective of this article was to explore State-NGO relations and their impact on development in Africa. This article employs a historical approach in the analysis of state-ngo relations. While Africa is still riddled with abject poverty, the HIV-AIDS pandemic, tuberculosis, hunger and preventable diseases like cholera malaria and other chronic threats that call for help from other actors other than the government itself (Shah, 2009) the state itself has failed to address these problems and the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have for a long time attempted to fill that gap. However, in Africa, the relationship between the state and NGOs has been challenged by lack of mutual trust, while the proliferation of NGOs has not been met with political neutrality. We argue that given the fact that NGOs have had a significant impact in Africa, a partnership between the state and NGOs can realise sustainable development through working together. However, the state should provide a favourable environment for NGOs to operate and work in collaboration with the state in service provision in critical areas.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n10p291