Looking ahead, youth movements are proving effective in promoting democratic change, but what support will they need as they seek to foster economic change? Are there conceptual challenges? African democracies have been called “choice-less democracies” (Mkandawire) in that they rarely lead to framing economic and social policies that break with the neoliberal paradigm. Yet major structural transformation will surely be required to reduce poverty and social and economic inequalities...

By 2015, lagging economic growth and the collapse of Africa’s major currencies had begun to undermine the ‘Africa rising’ narrative. Add to that the vast toll of the Ebola virus and resurgence of conflict in places like Mali, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Northern Cameroon and Burundi.

But 2015 brought positive news as well. While international experts forecast a renewal of election-related violence in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, both presidential elections were conducted in a peaceful manner. And in neighboring Burkina Faso, citizen mobilization brought down strongman Blaise Compaore, ushering in a new era of democratic governance and popular participation.T

These are two concepts which seem to mesh easily, but aren’t always intuitive or in practice on the continent of Africa. Historically, Africa’s challenges have been addressed, and at times further burdened, by mostly well-intentioned assistance from those in other parts of the world. But what about those voices who face these challenges daily and for whom the stakes are not just about furthering short-term opportunities, or meeting a development indicator, but are more personal and enmeshed in a sense of tradition, history and legacy?

Une autre année s’est écoulée et nous avons, une fois de plus, l’opportunité, à travers le présent Rapport Annuel, de nous interroger en tant qu’institution. En jetant un regard rétrospectif sur l’année écoulée, on se rend compte que nos activités nous ont permis d’approfondir et de renforcer notre mission.

Another year has gone by. And once again, we have an opportunity through this Annual Report to examine ourselves as an institution. Looking back on the past year, our activities have helped us deepen and reinforce our mission. It was a time for celebration (our dinner in Liberia with two Nobel prizewinners) and reflection (our first Organizational Assessment). It was a time for correction and preparation. We focused ourselves with more targeted grantmaking (78 grants totaling more than $3 million) and secured further support from institutional donors. We built new partnerships and collaborated with like-minded institutions to strengthen our core program areas. We remained strong in the face of a global financial crisis and we grew our staff and our programs.

« De manière générale, on suppose que l'Afrique est sans espoir et désespérée, caractérisée par la famine, la guerre, la criminalité et l'inefficacité. Mais il y a une autre histoire, l'histoire des Africains ordinaires qui se mettent au travail, qui innovent, qui utilisent les nouvelles technologies et les institutions traditionnelles pour régler les problèmes difficiles. La théorie du changement de TrustAfrica  est que c'est là où se trouve l'énergie – et elle doit être soutenue ».

At TrustAfrica we try to focus on both sides of this equation. In it for the long haul, we know that reversing the damage done by many decades of colonization and exploitation will not happen overnight. At the same time, we strive to be alert to emerging trends and opportunities— unique moments when it becomes possible to transform the status quo. The opening chapters of the Arab Spring have shown how rapidly social movements can coalesce and how quickly the political order can change. New technologies and social media gave momentum to the popular uprisings in Tunis and Cairo. But it is important to note that daring efforts by civil society actors going back many years helped set the stage. The challenge now is to secure the democratic gains that have been won on the streets, a feat that will require continued vigilance and activism by a vital civil society sector.

“It’s generally assumed that Africa is hopeless and helpless, defined by famine and war and crime and inefficiency. But there’s another story, the story of everyday Africans getting on with it, innovating, using new technologies and traditional institutions to tackle difficult problems. TrustAfrica’s theory of change is that this is where the energy is—and that it needs to be supported.”

Nothing puts a young organization to the test quite like a global economic melt down.When the stock markets plunged in late 2008, people and institutions everywhere clutched their wallets and sought shelter from the storm. But as donors and lenders pulled back, the scarcity of capital caused tremendous instability for private businesses and civil society organizations alike.

Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax 2008

Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
(except black lung benefit trust or private foundation)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service The organization may have to use a copy of this return to satisfy state reporting requirements

TrustAfrica came into being at a time of renewed optimism about the continent, a spirit not seen since the early days of independence. African governments had begun working together more closely than ever before to tackle shared concerns.

Financial Report for 2006 - TrustAfrica, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax

 Launching a new organization, particularly one as vital and ambitious as TrustAfrica, can be a colossal undertaking. Luckily, we’ve drawn on the sage advice and tireless assistance of many, many supporters along the way. The Ford Foundation, which housed TrustAfrica from its inception, merits a special word of thanks for lending its staff and resources so generously.

Financial Report for 2006 - TrustAfrica, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax