The year 2026 marks a historic milestone for TrustAfrica as we celebrate our 20th anniversary throughout the entire year. For two decades, our mission has remained anchored in fostering African solutions to African challenges, strengthening democratic governance, advancing economic justice, and cultivating Pan-African solidarity.
As we reflect on this journey, our annual staff retreat in Praia, Cape Verde, served as an inspiring moment of renewal, learning, and strategic alignment.
Grounding Strategy in Historical Wisdom: Insights from Cape Verde
Our time in Cape Verde went beyond internal planning; it was a deeply enriching learning journey that connected our team with visionary leaders shaping the continent’s intellectual and political landscape.
We had the distinct honor of meeting with His Excellency Pedro Pires, former President of the Republic of Cape Verde and liberation leader. In our dialogue at the Pedro Pires Institute, President Pires offered profound reflections on intergenerational leadership, democratic consolidation, and the necessity of rooting Africa’s future in its historical struggles. This high-level engagement was made possible through the generous facilitation of His Excellency Víctor Manuel Barbosa Borges, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Communities. In an extensive session with our team, Minister Borges shared valuable perspectives on democratic governance, educational reform, migration, and the imperative of nurturing African agency in a shifting global order.trustafrica+1
Our Pan-African engagement continued with an impactful visit to the University of Cabo Verde. Engaging with university leadership enabled us to explore strategic collaborations around African-led knowledge production, academic mobility, and initiatives such as the relaunch of the Amílcar Cabral Chair—reinforcing our conviction that higher education must directly serve continental transformation.
Expanding Footprint and Programmatic Momentum
As TrustAfrica steps into its third decade, our institution is actively growing to meet the complex challenges facing our societies. We are expanding our institutional reach, deepening our partnerships, and scaling our programmatic impact across thematic areas.
On 31 August 2026, TrustAfrica hosted Africa Reimagining Futures in Accra, bringing together an eclectic community of thinkers, creatives, innovators, scholars, activists, and changemakers to challenge assumptions and explore bold possibilities for Africa’s future. The convening opened with an inspiring keynote address by renowned Nigerian-British writer and poet Sir Ben Okri, whose reflections challenged participants to embrace imagination as a powerful force for transformation. Through dialogues that questioned conventional wisdom and examined emerging trends, the gathering affirmed a shared conviction: Africa’s future cannot be inherited or imported—it must be consciously imagined and collectively shaped.
In this edition of our newsletter, you will discover:
- Programmatic updates highlighting our ongoing work across economic justice, democratic governance, youth leadership, and reparative justice.
- Key milestones and past events, including regional convenings, youth dialogues, and policy interventions that brought together civil society leaders across the continent.
- Upcoming initiatives and convenings, providing a preview of our 20th-anniversary calendar, upcoming publications, and opportunities for collaborative action.
We invite you to read through these updates, engage with our work, and continue walking alongside us as we shape an equitable and self-determined future for Africa.
