Electoral management bodies (EMBs) in Africa generally have broad constitutional mandates to oversee electoral processes and the management of elections.

However, in many cases, the establishment of EMBs has not been matched by sufficient or timely commitment of resources needed for the fulfilment of their mandates. The topic of financing elections has therefore become a pressing issue among African election practitioners. 

On 7–8 June 2018 the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) co-organized a conference in Windhoek, Namibia, convened as a platform for the collation of information, sharing of experience and exchange of knowledge on this subject among African EMBs. 

This report presents the main findings from each of the conference sessions. The conference concept note and agenda, as well as a list of participants, are included as annexes.