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The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is a human rights treaty that addresses discrimination affecting people with disabilities living in African countries.

Watch the campaign video (1 minute)

The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is a legal framework that protects the rights of 80 million people with disabilities living in African nations.

The ADP is the first African human rights treaty that addresses specific forms of discrimination affecting people with disabilities on the continent, such as harmful practices, beliefs and superstitions.

In 2022, Sightsavers launched the #RatifyTheADP campaign and worked with partners including the African Union, Africa Disability Alliance and African Disability Forum, as well as campaigners across 13 countries, to call on African governments to pass the legislation.

The treaty has now been ratified across the African Union, which is a huge step for disability rights across the continent. Our campaign is now calling on countries that have ratified it to update their national disability laws in line with the treaty, and calling on other countries that have not yet ratified to take the step.

How we’re taking action to ratify the ADP

Regional campaigning

We work with regional partners, organisations of people with disabilities and governments to ratify the treaty and implement inclusive legislation.

Country campaigns

The Ratify ADP Tanzania campaign is working with partners in the country to enshrine disability rights in local law.
About our campaign in Tanzania

Information and resources

Read expert blogs from campaigners and keep up to date with event news, analysis and commentary.
Explore the ADP in depth

Many people with disabilities are not aware of the rights the ADP protects and what they mean in their everyday life.

Leonard, Equal Zimbabwe chair

A photo of Leonard, a member of the Equal Zimbabwe steering committee at the launch event.

Support this campaign

With your help, we can make history in Africa.
To learn how you can get behind our campaign to ratify the ADP, email us:

Edwinah Orowe
Sightsavers ADP Lead
[email protected]

News and updates

Republic of Congo becomes the 15th country to ratify the African Disability Protocol

The Republic of Congo has ratified the treaty, bringing the total number of ratifications to 15. This means the ADP is now legally binding across the entire African Union.

A still from Sightsavers' campaign video, with the text 'Ratify the ADP'.

African Disability Protocol just one country away from becoming legally binding

With Malawi’s ratification of the ADP in December and Nigeria’s hot on their heels in January, we are now only one country away from ratification across the entire African Union.

A woman and two men stand outside a building. The men, one of whom is sitting, are holding up signs with the words 'Make it count'.

Cameroon approves landmark disability legislation

Cameroon has become the second African country to begin to ratify the African Disability Protocol (ADP), which addresses unique issues that affect people with disabilities in African countries.

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The African Disability Protocol

Read the treaty