Headlines about Africa tend to focus on deficits: of infrastructure, funding or stability. These challenges are real. But a view built only on deficits misses most of the story, and leads to partnerships that do not work.
What the continent holds
Africa is home to the world's youngest population and to ecosystems of global importance, from rainforests to savannas and great lakes. Its communities hold living knowledge about land, water, health and cooperation. Its entrepreneurs are building businesses in energy, agriculture, finance and technology designed for the realities of the continent.
From intervention to partnership
If Africa is seen as a source of knowledge, leadership and innovation, the role of international partners changes. Instead of designing solutions elsewhere, they support solutions led from within. Instead of short project cycles, they commit to relationships. Instead of extracting value, they share it.
Africa is not a place that needs saving. It is where much of the future is being built.
Why Kenya
GIA's African hub is in Kenya, a centre of innovation and conservation and home to the global headquarters of the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat. From there, we are building partnerships across East Africa and beyond, with African leaders and communities setting the priorities.
Africa's role in shaping the future is not a question of if, but of how. We want to help make sure that future is shaped with African knowledge and leadership at its centre.