Axum

Knowledge and Learning Ecosystems

Axum strengthens platforms for knowledge-sharing and skills development across sectors.

We support leaders, institutions, and communities to learn from one another, co-create solutions, and expand pathways for lifelong education and professional growth.

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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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Supporting the Skilling of African Youth to Access Economic Opportunities

Supporting the Skilling of African Youth to Access Economic Opportunities

Challenge Youth across Africa encounter significant skills gaps and limited access to economic opportunities stemming from educational infrastructure deficiencies and inadequate vocational training options. Solution Axum operates a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative spanning three nations — the DRC, Côte d'Ivoire, and Tanzania — designed to link young people with industry training and skill-building pathways. The organization's team assisted in creating an updated, open-source industry-relevant curriculum focused on public works and mining in Côte d'Ivoire, performed skills assessments in the DRC, and supported public works companies in expanding youth employment access. Impact Through this program, stakeholders identified sector-specific competency requirements and designed corresponding training solutions to reduce joblessness and enable meaningful economic engagement and advancement.

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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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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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Climate Smart Forest Economy Program

Climate Smart Forest Economy Program

Challenge Forest ecosystems in the Global South face deforestation, degradation, and economic underutilization. At the same time, local housing deficits and economic needs persist, creating pressure to extract rather than conserve. Solution Established in 2020, the Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP) partners with various stakeholders in low- and middle-income countries in the Global South to develop regional forest product industries. The program employs a forest-first, collaborative approach ensuring forest product industries: Reverse deforestation trends by providing sustainable management revenue Build resilient, climate-smart, regenerative forest economies with accessible biobased materials Create local small businesses and sustainable green jobs along value chains Breakthrough initiatives include co-designing Bhutan's climate-smart forest economy, supporting timber construction startups in Kenya and Uganda, and partnering with Cassa Guatemala on bamboo housing in climate-vulnerable communities. An East Africa Coalition convenes stakeholders across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in the biobased construction sector. Fiscally sponsored by Dalberg Catalyst; Devang Vussonji serves on CSFEP's Advisory Council. Impact CSFEP is building momentum for climate-smart forest economies that prioritize both ecological integrity and community prosperity.

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