Tracking the Gap Between Electoral Promises and Government Delivery
Over the past months, we’ve been sharing country‑level insights on how African governments are performing against their commitments. Today, we’re excited to introduce a new addition to this growing body of work: The Electoral Promises and Government Performance Nexus. This report takes a comparative look at how campaign promises translate into real‑world delivery in Malawi and Zambia, offering a rare, data‑driven view of accountability between elections.
Drawing on evidence from Malawi Citizens Watch—which monitored the performance of President Lazarus Chakwera (until August 2025)—and Zambia Citizens Watch, currently tracking President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, the report analyses hundreds of electoral promises across key sectors: the economy, governance, corruption, climate change, and social services. The goal is simple but powerful: to understand whether governments are delivering on the mandates they campaigned on.
What the data reveals
- Zambia: Over 240 promises are being tracked. Just over half show meaningful progress, though few had reached full implementation at the time of reporting.
- Malawi: Delivery was uneven, with an overall fulfilment rate of 39% by the end of President Chakwera’s term—reflecting both structural hurdles and political constraints.
Together, these findings raise a critical question for African democracies: What does accountability look like between elections, not just during them?
Part of a Bigger Picture: African Citizens Watch
This report forms part of our broader work under African Citizens Watch, where we blend data, analysis, and citizen‑centred insights to strengthen public accountability across the continent. To explore more:
- African Citizens Watch Podcast — conversations unpacking governance trends and citizen perspectives
- 2025 Malawi and Zambia Barometer Reports — deep dives into country‑level performance
- Ongoing insights on how data can empower citizens and reinforce democratic accountability
