EISA is a non-governmental organisation, established in 1996 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Its mission is to strengthen electoral processes, good governance, human rights and democratic values in Africa through research, capacity building, advocacy and other targeted interventions. EISA works with governments, electoral commissions, political parties, civil society organisations and other institutions operating in the democracy and governance fields in Africa. EISA has field offices in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola and Mozambique and implements activities in all countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Through its involvement with the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, EISA brings African experiences and an African perspective to the field of elections worldwide.