As we enter 2026, I want to acknowledge the vital work African NGOs continue to do across the continent. You operate in complex and often challenging environments, responding to urgent needs while advancing long-term change. The challenges are real: shrinking funding and civic space, shifting donor priorities, political pressures, and growing demand for services. But, so too are the opportunities: new partnerships, more innovative use of technology, stronger local leadership, and a renewed focus on community-driven solutions.

African NGOs remain essential to Africa’s social, economic, and democratic fabric. You fill gaps where systems fall short, amplify the voices of communities that are too often unheard, and turn ideas into action under the most demanding circumstances. Your resilience, creativity, and commitment continue to inspire.

As the convener of @AfricanNGOs, I want to reaffirm my commitment to you in the year ahead. In 2026, @AfricanNGOs will continue to highlight and profile your work, share relevant news and insights, and curate practical information and resources that support your missions. Our aim remains simple: to strengthen visibility, connection, and learning within Africa’s NGO ecosystem, and to ensure that African NGOs are seen, heard, and supported.

I wish you clarity in your strategies, strength in your leadership, and solidarity in your partnerships this year. May 2026 be a year of progress, learning, and renewed purpose.

David Barnard

(Learn more about the African NGO Fundraising Hub, which @AfricanNGOs and Hexa Media Africa will launch on 26 February 2026. For more details, refer to https://tinyurl.com/y7j8m394.)