In a significant move to strengthen democratic governance, a delegation of Ethiopian officials is currently visiting Nigeria to study the country’s electoral system. The team, comprising members of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE), arrived in Abuja on October 6, 2025, for a week-long program hosted by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The visit aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices in electoral management between the two nations. Both Ethiopia and Nigeria share similar political structures, being multi-ethnic, multi-religious countries operating federal systems. The officials will gain insights into critical areas such as election planning, monitoring, voter registration technology, political party regulation, and ensuring inclusivity for displaced persons.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, described the visit as an opportunity for mutual learning and cooperation between two leading African democracies. The Ethiopian delegation will participate in nine technical sessions, engaging with various stakeholders, including the media and the Inter-Party Advisory Council, to deepen their understanding of Nigeria’s electoral processes.
The timing of the visit coincides with voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the February 2026 area council elections, giving the Ethiopian officials a chance to observe Nigeria’s voter registration process firsthand. NEBE Deputy Chairman, Tesfaye Neway, praised INEC for its transparency and technological innovation, emphasizing that Ethiopia hopes to adopt similar practices to strengthen its own electoral system.
This visit highlights the growing collaboration among African electoral bodies and underscores a shared commitment to improving election credibility and democratic governance across the continent.
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