Zaya Yeebo

Zaya is currently, a Programmes Manager at the UNDP’s Civil Society democratic governance facility (CSDGF) based in Nairobi, Kenya. He also worked for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a key international democracy and governance institution in the UK. He has a background in media, development communications, governance, and political party development, post conflict reconstruction, human security and post conflict reconstruction. Zaya has worked in Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya and Uganda with international NGOs in Africa and the UK on programme development, monitoring and evaluation. Between 1999 – 2006, Zaya was vice chair of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an international governance and democracy institution. Zaya was instrumental in setting up a Development Communication Unit for the Action Aid programme in West Africa, and MRG’s Global programmes. He has also led the development of WFD’s country programmes in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, and contributes to developing WFD’s pan African work. Prior to joining the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Zaya built up a strong track record through work in organisations such as the Minority Rights Groups International where he was Head of Programmes, In the UK, Zaya has led the capacity building of migrant and refugee community organisations. Zaya founded the Centre for community development Initiatives (CCDI). He continues to work on governance and democracy issues in West Africa. Zaya’s other interest include political party development, development communications, and community development in Africa. Zaya has written three books on politics and development in West Africa, and has contributed articles to several international journals and magazines. As vice chair of CDD, Zaya led the development of the West Africa Civil Society Network. He was also a member of the Africa parliamentary Seminar on Africa held in 2005.

Thematic Areas of Expertise