Axum

Digital Infrastructure and Innovation

Technology is reshaping how people live, learn, and work.

Axum builds digital foundations and accelerates innovation so that Africa and the Middle East can harness these shifts for inclusive development, competitiveness, and social progress.

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Global South AI Community

Global South AI Community

Challenge AI innovators across the Global South face persistent challenges in developing and scaling solutions that are grounded in local contexts and integrated into broader development ecosystems. Solution Axum manages the Global South AI Community of Practice, connecting AI researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to ensure the Global South has an active voice in how AI is developed, deployed, and governed globally. Impact The Community is growing rapidly, with members across dozens of countries collaborating on AI ethics, data governance, and the development of AI applications relevant to African and Global South contexts and priorities.

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PHA4GE

PHA4GE

Challenge The Public Health Alliance for Genomic Epidemiology (PHA4GE) needed to assess its internal structures, strategic direction, and operational model to become a more sustainable and effective contributor to global public health and genomic epidemiology. Solution Axum conducted a comprehensive assessment of PHA4GE's structure, strategy, and operations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the process identified organizational needs and surfaced opportunities for strengthening product development, collaboration, and the organization's overall positioning. Impact The assessment produced actionable recommendations to improve how PHA4GE collaborates, operates, and delivers on its mission. These insights are informing the organization's efforts to build a durable, future-ready structure that can deliver on its broader ambitions.

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Empowering Millions of Youth to Access Digital Jobs

Empowering Millions of Youth to Access Digital Jobs

Challenge Kenyan youth (ages 18-34) make up 25% of the population; over 30% of this youth population is unemployed and lacks adequate job preparation and information. At the same time, digital technology has penetrated all sectors of the economy, providing the potential to create millions of new jobs — but only for those with the right skills. Solution Axum supported an initiative targeting over one million young people to access digital employment opportunities. Staff members designed programmatic activities, deployed program officers for capacity-building, transferred capabilities, and established knowledge management systems. Impact Within 18 months of involvement, over 9,000 youth received work-ready digital training. Currently, 30,000+ individuals have secured meaningful employment across all 47 Kenyan counties, with 20+ national and international private sector partners engaged.

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Exploring the Frontiers of AI in Africa

Exploring the Frontiers of AI in Africa

Challenge Emerging technologies (e.g., AI, big data) are driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution and have a critical role in addressing Africa's challenges and accelerating development agendas. Several challenges — including infrastructure, skills, governance, and policy — must be addressed to fully leverage the potential of these emerging technologies and mitigate their risks. Solution Axum is helping build the Emerging Technology Institute and Action Lab in Kenya, which will focus on amplifying use cases of emerging technologies, research and thought leadership to generate empirical evidence for evidence-based policy formulation, policy and influence through engaging a close network of influential actors in the digital ecosystem, and capacity building of public servants on digital skills and emerging technologies. Impact By 2030, the Emerging Technologies Institute and Action Lab envisions a transformed Kenya where technology and innovation drive inclusive economic growth, foster sustainable development, and significantly improve the lives of millions of citizens.

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Gender Links

Gender Links

Challenge Gender Links aimed to strengthen its organizational planning and improve its positioning as a leading provider of Gender Integration (GI) services across Africa. To do this effectively, the organization needed a clear picture of its internal capabilities, strategic gaps, and areas for improvement. Solution Axum partnered with Gender Links to conduct an internal organizational effectiveness assessment. Using a tailored framework grounded in best practices and Gender Links' existing approaches, the process included stakeholder consultations, staff surveys, and field visits to ensure a comprehensive review of the organization's strengths and gaps. Impact The assessment led to a set of priority recommendations and the development of a detailed five-year action plan. This roadmap is helping Gender Links align its strategy, operations, and internal systems with its long-term goals for regional leadership in GI services.

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Empowering Creatives to Tell the African Story

Empowering Creatives to Tell the African Story

Challenge Historically, international media has marginalized voices from the global south, leading to biased perspectives and limited representation. Yet, empowering underrepresented communities in the film industry presents an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusion in storytelling. Solution Axum supported partners in designing and implementing a creative equity scholarship initiative for West and Central Africa, distributing funds among 52 film students across Benin, Gabon, Ghana, and Nigeria. Financial support covered tuition and stipends while creating industry networking opportunities. Impact Disbursed over US$400,000 of funds over two years, enabling 52 students from 5 universities in West and Central Africa to benefit from financial aid, building the next generation of African storytellers.

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Alliance for Health Financing in Africa (AHFIA)

Alliance for Health Financing in Africa (AHFIA)

Challenge Many African countries face persistent challenges in financing healthcare systems that are accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Gaps between health and finance sectors have limited the ability to create integrated solutions that can scale. Solution Axum launched the Alliance for Health Financing in Africa (AHFIA) in November 2024, with support from the Gates Foundation, to help address these structural gaps. AHFIA brings together governments, financial institutions, and development partners to co-design innovative funding mechanisms and advance policy, investment, and implementation efforts that strengthen health systems. Impact By bridging the health-finance divide, AHFIA is enabling countries to design and scale more inclusive and resilient health financing models. The initiative supports stronger health systems, improved economic resilience, and greater access to care across the continent.

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