Gaining Entry? How, When, and Where Transnational Actors Access International Organizations in Africa

This paper systematically investigates how, when, and where transnational actors (TNAs) gain access to African international organizations (IOs) by introducing the first comprehensive dataset covering 23 IOs from 1960 to 2020. Using the coding scheme developed by Tallberg et al. (2013), the study maps long-term patterns of access and uncovers the distinctive institutional features of African regionalism that have been neglected in existing scholarship. The findings reveal a steady expansion of formal access opportunities over time, accelerating after 2000, alongside variation in institutional bodies: Assemblies, Executive, and Secretariats remain relatively closed, whereas international Courts and consultative bodies are more open to non-state engagement. Substantial differences also emerge across African IOs in general, with some providing extensive channels for participation and others granting minimal access. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of how African IOs incorporate TNAs into their institutional structures.