Axum

Economic Resilience and Transformation

We design and scale solutions that unlock long-term prosperity by creating jobs, strengthening industries, and widening access to opportunity.

Our work equips people and economies to adapt, compete, and thrive in shifting global and regional landscapes.

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Unlocking Economic Growth through Agriculture Sector Transformation

Unlocking Economic Growth through Agriculture Sector Transformation

Challenge Tanzania's agriculture sector faced key ecosystem bottlenecks in coordination, delivery capacity, and information-based decision-making at the national and local levels. Solution Axum's approach involved embedding teams within government layers to develop and implement new tools and systems. The engagement strengthened institutional coordination among ministries, increased district delivery capacity, improved knowledge management systems, and secured stronger stakeholder investment commitments. Impact Increased productivity and investment in value chains in Tanzania, improving livelihoods for farmers, nutrition, and food security and increasing the country's agriculture GDP.

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Orchestrating Systems to Drive Change in Healthcare

Orchestrating Systems to Drive Change in Healthcare

Challenge Established in late 2019, a global disease prevention organization formed a partnership and resource mobilization arm. The organization needed to establish operations with skilled personnel to execute its mission. Solution Axum personnel embedded a highly skilled team at the secretariat to set up, operate, and manage daily activities for 18 months. The engagement involved transferring knowledge to local staff and establishing a fully established operations and grant management system to receive and disburse funds. Impact The secretariat was successfully established with capable local staff and functioning grant management systems, enabling the organization to focus on its core disease prevention mission.

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Driving Policy and Leadership Development for Africa's Circular Economy

Driving Policy and Leadership Development for Africa's Circular Economy

Challenge One of our partners' goals was to spur Africa's transition to a circular economy. However, there existed an opportunity to support the organization in building its capacity to profile, develop, and coordinate the implementation of circular economy opportunities. Solution A major global forum partnered with Axum staff to host the organization's secretariat. We supported this partner in conducting a market research assessment to identify priority themes for circularity — including food systems, packaging, built environment, electronics, and fashion and textiles — interviewing experts and stakeholders to assess circular economy solutions and barriers, developing case studies on circular economy opportunities, and drafting a circular economy implementation roadmap. Impact Axum staff developed the capacity of the secretariat, enabling efficient and effective management of duties at the leadership level. We also developed a defined circular economy roadmap for African member states, with ongoing implementation efforts, improving policy development, leadership, and advocacy, as well as support in scaling circular economy businesses across the continent.

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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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