Political transitions and their aftermath present a critical period for collective participation for national stakeholders and their counterparts at regional, continental and international level. Safeguarding development and strengthening governance is crucial to protect and promote ongoing gains towards the goals of agendas 2030 and 2063 of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) respectively. This can only be achieved if complex political transitions are considered through a governance and development lens, which recognizes the primacy of a people-centred approach.