The Emergence of Nonprofit Self-Regulation in Africa

This academic article examines the evolution of NGO self-regulation in Africa from 1990 through 2009. The paper uses cross-national data on 22 countries and a follow up case study of 6 initiatives. The article argues that self-regulation in Africa has unfolded in two generations. The first generation was a response to perceived threats of increased government regulation and resulted in systems of self-regulation that are national in scope and intend to produce a public good (i.e. national regulation).  However, the second generation initiatives occurred in more liberal political environments. Consequently, the authors argue, these second-generation initiatives often operate as a complement or supplement to government regulation. Second-generation self-regulation programs tend to have stronger standards and enforcement, but more limited organizational coverage, producing a private collective good for those non-profits that are able to participate

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