Democracy capture refers to the intentional attempts by various actors, driven either by personal or partisan motive, to get institutions/agencies to do their bidding. This inaugural Democracy Capture (DemCap) report presents a comprehensive analysis of how democratic institutions/agencies are systematically being undermined. The report draws on data from 370 institutions across 10 African countries—Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Overall, across all countries examined, there is a worrying level of democracy capture. A considerable number of agencies/institutions (60%)
analyzed currently reflect at least some level of capture by a perpetrator.

The level of democracy capture varies depending on the country. The percentage of agencies/institutions in each country reflecting at least some level of capture by a perpetrator is lower in Botswana, Senegal, South Africa, and Ghana, where between 19% and 35% of institutions/agencies are subject to capture. It is much higher in Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania, Kenya, and DR Congo, where between 66% and 100% of institutions/agencies are subject to capture. Click here to read the full report.