Today is World NGO Day, an international day dedicated to celebrating the critical work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Created by Latvian-British entrepreneur Marcis Skadmanis, and first introduced on 27 February 2014, the day aims to raise awareness and showcase the positive impact of more than 10 million NGOs and the 50 million people working in the sector. Their work transcends borders, bringing to light society’s pressing issues that demand local and international action and attention.

World NGO Day allows NGOs to highlight their diverse activities, advocate for their causes and engage with funders and supporters. It promotes collaboration, partnership-building and networking among NGOs, and between NGOs, governments and the private sector, enabling them to amplify their voices and increase their collective impact.

The day has gained global recognition and is celebrated in 89 countries across six continents.

While the day is a testament to the impact and achievements of NGOs, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the internal and external challenges they face, including funding constraints, shrinking civic space, inadequate capacity and infrastructure, fragmentation and duplication, and advocate for solutions to overcome them.

In Africa, these challenges are often more acute than elsewhere. The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the work of many NGOs. It exacerbated historical challenges such as pervasive under-resourcing and restricted operating environments, with far-reaching implications for their sustainability and the well-being of the communities they serve.

At the same time, African NGOs are required to respond to an ever-increasing range of crises confronting the continent, including climate change, humanitarian disasters, food security, gender-based violence and youth unemployment. Lack of government support or recognition for their work adds to the situation’s complexity, while NGOs’ interventions are often the direct result of the absence of government services.

Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts involving NGOs, governments, donors and other stakeholders. By advocating for enabling environments, fostering innovative solutions and strengthening partnerships, African NGOs can better navigate these challenges and continue to make meaningful contributions.

National and regional NGO umbrella organisations in Africa are important roleplayers in coordinating, mobilising and representing NGOs across geographical and thematic areas. They facilitate networking and collaboration, offer capacity-building support, serve as a collective voice for their members, promote good governance, and play a vital role in highlighting the impact and success of African NGOs and providing platforms for addressing the challenges they face.

The following 14 profiles highlight the work of national and regional NGO umbrella organisations in different parts of the continent:

# Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO)

BOCONGO was established in 1995 to coordinate the work of NGOs in Botswana. Over the past 29 years, it has created a platform for NGOs to engage in development and policy formulation processes and increase the capacity of its members to be effective advocates for policy development.

BOCONGO envisions NGOs working together for a more just, equal, and integrated Botswana. Its mission is to ensure its members work effectively with other actors for inclusive development. BOCONGO continually aims to achieve these by promoting experience sharing with other NGOs through networking, capacity-building, information dissemination and policy advocacy.

BOCONGO has more than 350 registered members across Botswana, subdivided into thematic focus areas to better coordinate their work. These include Inclusive Social Policy, Sustainable Environment and Natural Resource Management, Democratic Governance, Economic Justice, Arts and Creative Industries, and Gender and Human Rights.

BOCONGO has significantly invested in creating platforms and opportunities for multi-level partnerships with diverse stakeholders in the Botswana development space. It participates in high-level coordinating committees such as the Rural Development Council and other government boards and technical working groups to ensure that the needs of communities are represented in policy formulation and implementation. It also participates in executive committees of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) to implement international instruments representing civil society and hold the government accountable for domesticating international conventions.

BOCONGO is a member of the Southern Africa Council of NGOs (SAf-CNGO), a regional body for national NGO umbrella bodies in the Southern Africa region, and Forus International, an innovative global network supporting civil society for effective social change.

# Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO)

CANGO was established in 1983 primarily as a network for NGOs working in primary health care in Eswatini (then Swaziland). In 1987, it assumed the overall role as the coordinating body for NGOs in Eswatini. CANGO currently has over 100 active members.

CANGO’s core mandate is to coordinate the NGO sector, build the capacity of its members to fulfil their organisational-specific mandates and influence national and international policies through advocacy.

To facilitate the coordination of member NGOs and advocacy, CANGO’s leadership established eight sub-networks commonly referred to as consortia. These consortia cover HIV and AIDS, Gender, Food Security and Livelihoods, Children, Human Rights and Governance, Youth, Non-Communicable Diseases, and Media.

CANGO’s member services include coordination, capacity-building, advocacy, grant management and resource mobilisation strategies. These services are aimed at strengthening NGOs’ capacities whilst also ensuring accountability and effective joint advocacy to improve the quality of life of the Swazi population.

CANGO is a member of SAf-CNGO, and CIVICUS and its Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA).

# Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA)

CONGOMA is the umbrella body for NGOs in Malawi. It was established in 1985 as the Council for Social Welfare Services in Malawi but changed its name to CONGOMA in 1992. CONGOMA is an NGO coordinating body in Malawi as designated by the NGO (Amendment) Act of 2022 and its Principal Act of 2000. It has 650 active members, including 500 local and 150 international NGOs.

CONGOMA is inspired by the vision of sustained, strong and vibrant NGOs working in a conducive and collaborative environment in which a culture of accountability and good governance is entrenched and the rights of every citizen are respected and promoted. Its mission is to enhance and maximize its members’ potential and actual impact on development in Malawi.

CONGOMA aims to enhance and improve the operational environment in which NGOs function, promote and facilitate coordination, collaboration and cooperation among NGOs and between NGOs, the Government, donor community and the private sector in Malawi, further the standing of NGOs as competent, professional and suitable agents of development, support member NGOs to become institutionally strong, assist NGOs to work within the parameters of the law, and represent the collective interests of NGOs in Malawi.

CONGOMA’s main programmes focus on coordination and networking, capacity-building and advocacy. Through its advocacy activities, CONGOMA aims to expand civic space for NGOs, sustain an NGO-friendly legal environment, ensure a competitive fiscal and financial policy environment, and promote NGOs as suitable agents of national development.

CONGOMA is a member of SAF-CNGO, CIVICUS and its Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA), the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP).

# East African Civil Society Organisations Forum (EACSOF)

EACSOF is the platform that brings together civil society organisations in the East Africa region. Established in 2007 and registered in Tanzania as a regional NGO, it has country chapters in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda. EACSOF draws its members from NGOs, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations and networks and coalitions of these organisations based in East African Community (EAC) Member States.

EACSOF’s mission is to provide an inclusive platform for civil society to promote good policies and democratic governance for the well-being of East Africans. Its work aims to foster greater and more effective civil society engagement in the EAC integration process. EACSOF plays this role using several approaches, including information-sharing, networking, and institutional capacity-building of NGOs, as well as citizen engagement on issues relating to the EAC integration process.

EACSOF’s work is also anchored in the provisions of the EAC Treaty. Article 1 of the Treaty defines civil society, and the definition is consistent with the character and ethos of EACSOF, Article 7 elaborates the operational principles of the Treaty by clearly highlighting the principles that shall govern the practical achievement of the objectives of the Community, including people- and market-driven co-operation, and Article 128 urges the Partner States to provide an enabling environment for the private sector and civil society to take full advantage of the Community. Furthermore, consistent with Article 124 (4), which highlights that the Secretary-General shall provide a forum for consultations between the private sector, civil society organisations, other interest groups, and appropriate institutions of the Community, EACSOF is currently the official CSO representative in the EAC Dialogue Framework.

The thematic focus of EACSOF’s work covers democracy and good governance, peace and security, social and economic justice, natural resources, environment protection and climate change, and science and technology.

EACSOF’s membership services and benefits include the exchange of ideas, information and networking with like-minded CSOs in the region and beyond, robust knowledge networks, education and communication strategies, opportunities to participate in EACSOF conferences, workshops, seminars and trainings, and participatory and inclusive agenda setting for EACSOF and influencing EAC integration.

EACSOF maintains relationships, affiliations and partnerships with many strategic roleplayers, including the Centre for Citizen Participation at the African Union (CCP-AU), African Centre for Civil Society (ACCS), West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), SAf-CNGO, African CSO Platform on Principled Partnerships (ACPPP), African Union ECOSOCC, Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), EALS, EASSI, African Child Policy Forum, EASAFF, Tax Justice Network and SEATINI, among others.

# Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (LCN)

LCN is the umbrella organisation for NGOs in Lesotho. Established in May 1990, it envisions an effective and vibrant civil society within a democratic, peaceful and sustainable Lesotho. LCN’s mission is to stimulate, promote and build capacity within Lesotho NGOs to ensure they are stable, democratic, transparent, skilled, empowered, sustainable and responsive to their beneficiaries’ needs and those of the voiceless and marginalised. LCN currently has 220 members.

LCN’s strategic programme areas include strengthening civil society, environment protection and stewardship, economic justice and social development, conflict resolution and mediation, education policy and budget tracking, governance and accountability, empowering the vulnerable and marginalised, responding to HIV and AIDS, and harnessing information and technology. It implements these through networking, leadership training and development, information dissemination, capacity-building, coordination, advocacy and representation when dealing with the government and the international community.

LCN’s Board of Directors is elected every two years during the Annual General Meeting by the representatives of the members. Each member of the Board is eligible to serve only two consecutive four-year terms.

LCN is a member of SAf-CNGO, and its Executive Director serves as the current Treasurer.

# National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO)

NANGO has been a driving force in Zimbabwe’s civil society landscape since its founding in 1962. With a robust membership base comprising 1287 diverse NGOs, NANGO serves as a unifying platform for collective action and advocacy in pursuit of sustainable development and social justice in Zimbabwe.

NANGO’s mission is to strengthen, represent and coordinate the work of NGOs in Zimbabwe by creating space and promoting networking, dialogue and engagement to fulfil members’ visions and missions. Its objectives revolve around fostering collaboration among member organisations, amplifying their voices on critical issues, and building their capacity to address societal challenges effectively.

NANGO’s primary programmes and activities include coordinating and building a unified civil society movement, advocating for policy changes and influencing decision-making, providing capacity-building and training for NGOs, and facilitating networking and information-sharing. These initiatives address pressing issues, including shrinking civic space, poverty alleviation, gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability.

Beyond Zimbabwe, NANGO actively participates in African and international formations, forging partnerships and collaborations with regional and global stakeholders. These include SAf-CNGO, CIVICUS and Forus International, among others. These engagements enable NANGO to leverage resources, share best practices, and amplify its impact on a broader scale.

As Zimbabwe navigates complex challenges and opportunities, NANGO remains steadfast in its dedication to empowering civil society and building a more equitable and sustainable future for all Zimbabweans.

# Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO)

NNNGO is the first generic membership body for NGOs in Nigeria. Established in 1992, it has more than 3800 members, ranging from small groups at the local level to large national networks. Its mission is to coordinate a civil society group that is inclusive and offers equal opportunity, people participation, community leadership, independence of voluntary action, reflection of linguistic and cultural diversity, choice and a genuine partnership with other sectors on a best practice basis as a catalyst for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

NNNGO’s main programmes and activities focus on NGO legitimacy, transparency and accountability; enabling the operational environment of Nigerian NGOs by engaging in advocacy with government and other relevant stakeholders; SDGs campaigns; and NGO development effectiveness.

Over the years, NNNGO has promoted and administrated highly ethical and effective development practices among its members. Currently, NNNGO is working with development partners under the USAID-SCALE project to develop and popularize the Code to strengthen self-regulation within the Nigerian NGO sector. NNNGO also facilitates the exchange of information and learning amongst its members to improve the quality of their work. Tailor-made capacity-building trainings on different nonprofit management topics are delivered monthly (virtually and physically) to meet its members’ evolving needs. Furthermore, NNNGO’s annual conference is the largest gathering of NGOs, attracting more than 300 organisations from 34 States on average to discuss issues affecting the NGO sector and how best to address them.

NNNGO also gives special attention to the SDGs. Since 2006, NNNGO and its members have been raising awareness on attaining the then Millennium Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria to ensure that the Nigerian Government works effectively towards national achievement of poverty reduction and a human rights-based approach to development. NNNGO also helped support the founding of the African Working Group and Action/2015, a regional and global mobilisation campaign that brought together over 2 000 civil NGOs in more than 120 countries to campaign for the adoption of the SDGs.

With the adoption of the SDGs in 2016, NNNGO has further intensified its efforts to create awareness and track the implementation of the Goals by undertaking projects that review the government’s performance while amplifying the work of its members in promoting the SDGs.

NNGO is a member of CIVICUS and its Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA), Forus International and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

# Réseau des plates-formes nationales d’ONG d’Afrique centrale (REPONGAC)

REPONGAC is a network of eleven national NGO platforms in Central Africa. Established in 2008, its members include Fonga from Angola, ADIR from Burundi, COPAD from Cameroon, CCOD from the Republic of Congo, ROPAGA from Gabon, CIONGCA from the Central African Republic, CNONGD from the Democratic Republic of Congo, FONG STP from the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, CCOAIB from Rwanda, and CILONG from Chad.

REPONGAC seeks to influence regional institutions and represent the views and positions of its members on common regional issues. Its specific objectives include establishing a space for regional consultations and ongoing dialogue among members and with various development partners; participating in the development, formulation and implementation, as well as monitoring, of development policies and programmes at the national, regional and international levels; strengthening the institutional and organisational capacity of member national platforms and other NGOs; and defending and preserving the interests of its members.

REPONGAC’s main programmes and activities include capacity-building, conflict resolution and early warning, advocacy and lobbying, strategic engagements with regional authorities and technical and funding partners, and strengthening the civic space in which its members operate.

REPONGAC is a member of or partner with CIVICUS and its Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA), Forus International, Southern Africa Trust, UNITAR, WANEP, and the World Health Organisation, among others.

# Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP)

RCSP is the apex body for civil society organisations in Rwanda. Established in July 2004, its membership comprises 14 umbrella and 368 affiliate organisations. The members constitute the General Assembly, RCSP’s supreme organ.

RCSP’s mission is to act as a framework for coordination and knowledge exchange, promoting synergy among its members and strengthening their capacity to be impactful at national, regional and international levels. Its vision is to be an effective platform for safeguarding public interest and sustainable development in Rwanda.

RCSP’s strategic priority areas are capacity strengthening, coordination, representation and partnerships, and advocacy and policy influence. In collaboration with its members and their constituencies, RCSP fosters partnerships and amplifies voices in Rwanda society to enhance and facilitate citizen participation in sustainable development. It also partners with international NGOs, development partners and government institutions to ensure the needs and aspirations of Rwandans are represented in national policy processes.

RCSP strengthens the capacity of NGOs to dialogue with policy-makers and facilitates increased public participation in development and democratic processes through evidence-based advocacy. It is a champion of the aid localisation agenda in Rwanda.

RCSP is a member of EACSOF and the Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP).

# Somali NGO Consortium

The Somali NGO Consortium is a voluntary coordination mechanism for NGOs in Somalia/Somaliland. Given the insecurity and complexity of the operating environment and the large numbers of NGOs working in Somalia/Somaliland, a coordinated voice is critical for efficiently and effectively delivering humanitarian and development outcomes. Established in 1999, the Consortium has 120 international and national NGO members.

A core objective of the Consortium is to promote and maintain a networked, informed and well-functioning NGO sector. Its activities are guided by its mission and mandate to create a conducive working environment for members to deliver humanitarian and development assistance for all Somali people.

The Consortium actively advocates for and influences policy change while increasing local, regional and international awareness of Somali humanitarian and development issues. Members also benefit from the Consortium’s participation at national and international levels, where joint solutions and approaches are facilitated and key NGO positions communicated. The Consortium also provides a communication mechanism for NGOs working in Somalia/Somaliland and various external stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies and governments, interested in engaging the NGO sector.

The Consortium is a member of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), a global network of humanitarian NGOs, and InterAction, the largest US-based alliance of international NGOs and partners.

# South Sudan NGO Forum

The South Sudan NGO Forum is a voluntary, independent networking body that supports its members in effectively responding to the humanitarian and development needs in South Sudan. It currently has 357 registered members (243 national and 114 international NGOs) providing humanitarian, peacebuilding and development assistance to the South Sudanese people, regardless of ethnic background, political affiliation or religious belief.

The Forum was established in Nairobi in the early 1990s as an NGO coordination mechanism under Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS). After the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, many organisations relocated to South Sudan. In mid-2008, a secretariat was established in Juba to facilitate the work of the Forum and Steering Committee.

The Forum consists of two main constituencies (national and international NGOs), served by a Joint Steering Committee of ten national and ten international NGO members and coordinated by the Secretariat. Its mission is to effectively support its members in the principled delivery of aid assistance to save and improve lives in South Sudan. The Secretariat primarily focuses on information-sharing, coordination, advocacy and networking, capacity enhancement and representation.

The Forum provides a platform through which NGOs, the Government of South Sudan, UN agencies, donors and other external stakeholders can exchange information, share expertise, and establish guidelines for a more coordinated, efficient and effective use of aid resources in South Sudan. It is a member of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), a global network of 160 NGOs active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels.

# Tanzania Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (TANGO)

TANGO is the largest and longest-standing national umbrella organisation serving Tanzanian NGOs. Established in 1988 by 22 founder-member organisations, it currently has over 480 members.

TANGO envisions a strong and vibrant society in Tanzania where NGOs actively and effectively promote people-centred development. It seeks to advance development initiatives based on the values of justice, peace, good governance, human rights, gender equality and equity, and sustainable human development.

TANGO’s primary objectives include coordinating member and partner NGOs to minimise duplication and promote quality standards for NGOs, representing the collective views of members, serving as a platform for information exchange to provide members easier access to relevant information, building the organisational capacity of members to deliver services more efficiently and effectively, and performing lobbying and advocacy activities to create a conducive environment for the NGO sector and promote critical policy issues.

TANGO’s main activities focus on capacity development (institutionally and external relations), advocating for an enabling environment, facilitating information sharing as a think-tank of the NGO sector, helping organisations to be data-driven, assisting NGOs to comply with existing laws, and fostering participation and contribution in the regional integration processes.

TANGO also works with NGOs in the East and Southern African regions and the Horn of Africa to support coalition building, advocacy initiatives and movement building.

TANGO is a member of the UNDP CSO Advisory Platform, ECOSOC, SAf-CNGO, EACSOF and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), and partners with the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law, Global Affairs Canada, Transform Trade, Mzumbe University, Pact, Freedom House, USAID, European Union, Foundation for Civil Society, Southern African Youth Forum (SAYOF), NAYO Zimbabwe, Open Space Zimbabwe, HESPI and EAPN, amongst others.

# Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF)

UNNGOF is an independent and inclusive national platform for NGOs in Uganda. Established in 1997, it envisions a coherent, respected and well-informed NGO sector in Uganda, actively contributing to citizens’ well-being and safeguarding their rights.

UNNGOF’s mission is to provide a sharing and reflection platform for NGOs to influence governance and development processes in Uganda and enhance their operating environment. Its objectives include an informed NGO sector that possesses the necessary information and capacity to engage in and contribute to development processes effectively, a networked NGO sector with strong internal and external linkages to other actors, and an engaged and accountable NGO sector that engenders respect from government and citizens for the difference it makes to society.

UNNGOF currently has 783 registered members, comprising district NGOs, district NGO networks, national NGO networks, faith-based organisations and international NGOs. It also draws its Board of Directors from these constituencies. UNNGOF has a robust NGO Sub-National Infrastructure (Regional Advocacy Networks) through which it works to deliver its civil society strengthening and policy, governance and civic engagement interventions.

Some of UNNGOF’s main programmes focus on philanthropy for development, strengthening citizens’ engagement in elections (SCENE), Change the Game Academy, strengthening grassroots social accountability, and popularising and increasing citizens’ participation in the SDGs VNR process, among others.

Over the past two decades, UNNGOF has emerged as a respectable platform that provides thought and institutional leadership on matters that transcend sector or thematic focus. It has the convening power for multitudes of NGOs to collectively engage on civil society health issues, national government programmes and international processes. As part of its commitment and support towards civil society collective engagements beyond Uganda, UNNGOF is a member of the African Philanthropy Network (APN), East African Philanthropy Network (EAPN), WINGS, CIVICUS and its Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA), Forus International and EACSOF.

# West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)

WACSOF is an alliance of civil society organizations in West Africa working across the region to promote cooperation, integration and development. Founded in 2003 with the primary goal of uniting the voices of civil society organizations in West Africa, WACSOF’s mission is to promote participatory democracy, good governance, and sustainable development in West Africa. It is dedicated to fostering dialogue, advocating for policy changes, and supporting the implementation of initiatives that address regional challenges and opportunities.

WACSOF has more than 200 members, comprising a diverse range of civil society organizations and individuals committed to its mission and objectives. Its main programmes and activities focus on policy advocacy, capacity-building for its members, and facilitating citizen engagement in regional policy dialogues. It also plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between NGOs, governments, ECOWAS and other regional bodies to address pressing regional issues.

In addition to its regional focus, WACSOF is a proud member of several African and international formations, allowing it to contribute to broader discussions and initiatives on civil society, human rights and regional development.

These profiles showcase the critical contributions of NGO umbrella organisations in various African countries and regions. However, this is not an exhaustive list of all umbrella organisations, and many others do stellar work across the continent.