AMAP · 2022
17 change-makers from 8 countries
- APPLICATIONS
- 2,002+
- SELECTED
- 17
- COUNTRIES
- 8
GlobalGiving Top-Ranked Organization 2023We are the ones
Youth-led since 2015Meet the team and board
We are the ones
we've been waiting for.
A youth-led organisation upskilling and empowering young Africans to change their communities and own their narratives.
Youth-led since 2015Meet the team and board- 27,000+
- YOUNG PEOPLE REACHED
- 23
- COUNTRIES REACHED
- 150+
- WORKSHOPS HELD
- 6,000+
- WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
Countries represented across AMI cohorts: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
Africa Matters Initiative (AMI) exists to upskill and empower Africa's Youth to create the world they want for themselves, their communities, and the continent. We are building African leaders and empowering them to change their communities and own their narratives.
“We are the ones we've been waiting for.”
WHAT WE DO
Five programmes, one belief
Leadership, social entrepreneurship and advocacy for young Africans from age 11 to 35.
MOMENTS
Africa Matters in action
From classrooms to summits: 109 photographs from our programmes and community.
WATCH
Our story, on film
From our original 2015 video to the graduates of our latest cohorts.
Our original video
AMI's original 2015 video: take pride in being African, hold our governments accountable, and refuse to be excluded from the global community.
AMAP & ShE 2024/25 graduation
Celebrating the graduates of the Africa Matters Ambassadors Program and ShE is Empowered, 2024/25.
AMI Media Competition
Diverse, united, aspirational: the call for young African storytellers.
IN THEIR WORDS
What our leaders say
Transcribed from testimonials our programme leaders shared with us.
“It has been an exceptional learning curve for me. Africa Matters Initiative has helped me to understand that I represent a continent, I am part of Africa and for me, this has been an eye-opener. It has given me the opportunity to learn, grow and understand people beyond my circle.”
“AMI knows the struggle we face as African women and they try to equip us with the leadership skills we need to make it and better our communities and Africa. Being a ShE leader was one of the greatest moments of my life. I learnt a lot, met amazing and wonderful women, built a great network but most of all I emerged a leader.”
“My overall experience was amazing, blessed to have been chosen and have been able to complete the program. Grateful for the opportunity and we can say it was an awakening experience for me, as now I know how and where to start developing my life and community.”
“Climate change, if unchecked, is an urgent threat to health, food supplies, biodiversity, and livelihoods across the globe.”
OUR STORY
Ten years of youth-led leadership
From two founders in South Africa to change-makers across the continent.
2015
Africa Matters is founded
Farai Mubaiwa and Reanne Olivier start the Africa Matters Initiative in South Africa, with the aim of empowering and upskilling African youth to change their communities and the African narrative.
2018
The first AMAP cohort
The Ambassadors Programme runs in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Rwanda and Kenya, equipping 8 ambassadors to lead four community social impact projects.
2019
600+ applications reviewed
Eight change-makers from Angola, Tunisia and Ghana complete their AMAP ambassadorship.
2022
Two cohorts, 37 change-makers
AMAP selects 17 ambassadors from over 2,002 applications across eight countries, while ShE is Empowered selects 20 young women from over 1,336 applications across nine.
2023
Top-ranked on GlobalGiving
Africa Matters is named a GlobalGiving Top-Ranked Organization, having held more than 150 workshops with over 6,000 participants.
2025
Ten years, and a summit in Kigali
A decade of youth-led leadership development is marked with the Africa Matters Summit 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda: Celebrating Impact, Igniting Futures.
THE COHORTS
Selected from thousands of applications
Every ambassador and change-maker comes through an open, continent-wide call.
SHE · 2022
20 change-makers from 9 countries
- APPLICATIONS
- 1,336+
- SELECTED
- 20
- COUNTRIES
- 9
YOUTH VOICES
African youth telling their own stories
Africa Matters provides a platform for African youth and diasporans to share their voices on Africa issues and topics.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked
The things people ask us most about applying and taking part.
Who can take part in an AMI programme?
It depends on the programme. The School Leadership Development Programme is for students aged 11 to 18, the Youth Leadership Development Programme for young people aged 18 to 35, and ShE is Empowered for African adolescent girls and young women. The Ambassadors Programme is aimed at non-traditional leaders working on gaps in leadership, accountability and transparency in their own communities.
How long do the programmes run?
The Ambassadors Programme runs for one year on a blended-learning model. ShE is Empowered is a 12-month, non-residential online programme. The School Leadership Development Programme is delivered over four sessions of one to two hours each.
How competitive is selection?
Applications are open across the continent and heavily oversubscribed. The 2022 Ambassadors cohort selected 17 change-makers from over 2,002 applications, and the 2022 ShE cohort selected 20 from over 1,336.
Which countries has AMI worked in?
Africa Matters reports lasting impact across 23 countries. Published cohorts alone have included ambassadors and change-makers from Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
How can I support the work?
You can donate to fund programme delivery, or sign up as a volunteer or mentor to support young African change-makers directly. Get in touch and we will point you to the right place.
FOR DONORS & PARTNERS
Your giving builds leaders.
Fund programmes reaching young Africans in underserved communities across the continent.
FOR YOUNG AFRICANS
Ready to own your narrative?
Join a programme, volunteer or mentor, or read the stories of young Africans already changing their communities.