In the dynamic nonprofit landscape of Africa, data is not just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools empower NGOs to track progress, measure impact, and drive evidence-based decision-making. However, many grassroots organizations operate with limited budgets, making free M&E tools not just attractive—but essential.
This guide unpacks the best free M&E tools for NGOs in Africa, combining functionality, ease of use, and alignment with donor reporting needs. Whether you’re managing youth development programs in Nairobi or health interventions in Lagos, these tools can help you scale impact without breaking the bank.
Why M&E Matters More Than Ever for African NGOs
The development space in Africa is rapidly evolving. With increasing donor scrutiny, complex social challenges, and a push for data-driven accountability, M&E has become a strategic priority. Yet, many local NGOs still rely on spreadsheets and manual tracking, which limits their capacity to showcase results.
The right tools can:
- Improve data collection and analysis
- Strengthen reporting frameworks
- Boost donor confidence
- Uncover real-time insights for program adaptation
But finding tools that are powerful, scalable, and free isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve done the work for you.
1. KoboToolbox
Best for: Field data collection in low-resource settings
Developed by: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
Key features:
- Offline mobile data collection
- Customizable forms and surveys
- GPS coordinates, multimedia input
- Powerful data visualization and export options
Why it works for African NGOs:
KoboToolbox was built specifically for humanitarian emergencies and low-connectivity contexts. It supports data collection in remote areas, which is crucial for NGOs operating in informal settlements, refugee camps, or rural villages.
Cost: 100% free for humanitarian and non-commercial use
“KoboToolbox has revolutionized how we gather data from rural communities. It’s offline, intuitive, and completely free.” – Local NGO in Malawi
2. DHIS2 (District Health Information System 2)
Best for: Health-focused NGOs and government partnerships
Developed by: University of Oslo
Key features:
- Real-time dashboards and analytics
- Aggregated and individual-level data tracking
- Integrations with mobile and web-based inputs
- Custom modules for education, WASH, and agriculture
Why it works for African NGOs:
DHIS2 is used by over 70 national ministries of health across Africa. It’s incredibly robust and ideal for large-scale data ecosystems.
Cost: Free and open-source
Tip: DHIS2 has a learning curve. Start with one program area and scale from there.
3. ONA
Best for: NGOs with complex survey workflows
Developed by: ONA Systems (Kenya-based)
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Supports ODK (Open Data Kit)
- Powerful API integrations
- Maps, charts, and dashboards
Why it works for African NGOs:
ONA is homegrown in Africa and serves both small community orgs and large INGOs. It’s great for organizations that need more sophistication than KoboToolbox but aren’t ready for enterprise software.
Cost: Free for limited submissions and users
Pro Tip: Pair ONA with Enketo for mobile-friendly data entry.
4. ActivityInfo
Best for: Multi-partner collaboration and donor reporting
Developed by: BeDataDriven (UN partnerships)
Key features:
- Track activities, indicators, and results
- Integrate multiple users across locations
- Offline data entry
- Export to Excel, PDF, and other donor formats
Why it works for African NGOs:
ActivityInfo is ideal for organizations working with UN agencies or managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
Cost: Free for small teams and basic use
5. TaroWorks
Best for: NGOs needing Salesforce-backed M&E
Developed by: Grameen Foundation
Key features:
- Offline Android app
- Field-to-back-office data sync
- Surveys, task management, and inventory tracking
- Salesforce integration
Why it works for African NGOs:
If your NGO is already using Salesforce’s Power of Us program, TaroWorks turns it into a full M&E suite—especially for agricultural or microfinance initiatives.
Cost: Free for NGOs using the Salesforce nonprofit plan
6. Google Data Studio (Looker Studio)
Best for: Creating real-time, visual dashboards
Developed by: Google
Key features:
- Connects with Google Sheets, Excel, BigQuery
- Drag-and-drop dashboard creation
- Data filtering and interactive visuals
Why it works for African NGOs:
Most NGOs use Google Workspace. This tool lets you turn your basic M&E data into dynamic visual stories—great for donor reports and board presentations.
Cost: Free
7. SurveyCTO
Best for: Data quality assurance in complex field surveys
Developed by: Dobility
Key features:
- Secure and encrypted data collection
- Built-in validation and skip logic
- Integration with Stata, R, and Excel
- GPS, media, and sensor integration
Why it works for African NGOs:
SurveyCTO is especially useful in evaluations and randomized control trials (RCTs). The free version supports small teams and short-term studies.
Cost: Free for up to 25 submissions per month
8. LogAlto
Best for: Logical framework-based planning and reporting
Key features:
- Logframe and result-based management
- Indicator tracking with baselines and targets
- Stakeholder mapping and project planning
- Role-based access
Why it works for African NGOs:
Designed for the nonprofit sector, LogAlto simplifies M&E into a dashboard-driven logframe, ideal for organizations submitting reports to bilateral and multilateral donors.
Cost: Free trial available; paid plans for larger deployments
9. DevResults (Limited Free Tier)
Best for: Organizations running multiple international programs
Key features:
- Advanced indicator matrix
- Disaggregated data tracking
- Geospatial mapping
- Donor-ready reporting formats
Why it works for African NGOs:
It’s especially good for organizations managing funding from USAID, DFID, or the EU. The free tier is limited, but enough to pilot a project.
Bonus: Airtable + Make.com (for Automation)
Best for: Custom, flexible M&E workflows
Key features:
- Create custom databases
- Link across sheets (projects, beneficiaries, indicators)
- Automate tasks with Make.com or Zapier
Why it works for African NGOs:
Airtable is highly visual and intuitive, great for NGOs who want to customize without coding. Paired with Make.com, you can even automate reporting workflows.
Cost: Free for basic use (Airtable); generous free tier (Make)
How to Choose the Right Free M&E Tool
Ask yourself:
- What’s our team’s technical capacity?
- Do we need offline access?
- How often will we collect and analyze data?
- Are we reporting to donors, governments, or both?
- Will this scale with our growth?
Use this decision matrix:
| Tool | Offline? | Easy to Use? | Visual Dashboards | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KoboToolbox | ☑️ | ☑️ | ‼️ | Field data collection |
| DHIS2 | ‼️ | ❗️ | ☑️ | Health & Gov’t partners |
| ONA | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | Multi-survey programs |
| ActivityInfo | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | Donor collaboration |
| TaroWorks | ☑️ | ❗️ | ☑️ | Salesforce users |
| Google Data Studio | ‼️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | Dashboards & reports |
| SurveyCTO | ☑️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | Evaluations & RCTs |
| LogAlto | ‼️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | Logical frameworks |
| Airtable + Make | ‼️ | ☑️ | ☑️ | Custom automations |
Final Word: Tools Are Not the Strategy
A powerful M&E tool can simplify your work—but it doesn’t replace a sound M&E strategy. Invest time in building your team’s capacity, defining indicators, and ensuring data quality.
Once that’s in place, these free tools become accelerators of mission-driven success.
Let’s Build Your NGO’s M&E System Together
Want help choosing, customizing, or training your team on these tools? I offer tailored strategy calls for African NGOs looking to build practical, donor-ready M&E systems.
Schedule a free consultation now and get the clarity your data deserves.
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