TrustAfrica is an independent foundation that strives to secure the conditions for democratic governance and equitable development throughout the continent. Led by Africans, Trust Africa convene dialogues, award grants, provide technical assistance and conduct public advocacy to advance these goals.

TrustAfrica seeks to strengthen African initiatives that address the most difficult challenges confronting the continent. TrustAfrica works principally through collaboration and partnership with like-minded institutions and donors. As a catalyst and convener, The organization is committed to generating and testing new ideas. Trust Africa also strive to practice good governance and promote it among Trust Africa's grantees.

First known as the Special Initiative for Africa, TrustAfrica began at the Ford Foundation and became an independent entity in 2006. It is led by seasoned professionals from more than a dozen countries across Africa and the Diaspora. Trust Africa operates from a conviction that Africans must set the agenda for development and take the lead in implementing it. Since organization's inception the organization have convened hundreds of grassroots leaders, scholars, policy makers, and activists to set priorities and craft strategies. Trust Africa have granted nearly US$20 million to advance work that builds on these discussions.

TrustAfrica seeks to strengthen African initiatives that address the most difficult challenges confronting the continent. The organization currently focuses on three critical areas

• Securing the conditions for democracy;
• Fostering African enterprise and achieving broadly shared prosperity; and
• Cultivating African resources for democracy and development.

TrustAfrica works principally through collaboration and partnership with like-minded institutions and donors. As a catalyst and convener, Trust Africa is committed to generating and testing new ideas. The organization also strive to practice good governance and promote it among Trust Africa's grantees.

Programmes

Democratic Governance - TrustAfrica works to secure the conditions for democracy by strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations and by ensuring that citizens are fully engaged in governance processes—not just in their respective countries but also at the regional level. Trust Africa support groups and coalitions working to:

• Monitor national policies and processes on key issues including freedom of association, freedom of expression, anti-impunity, access to justice (especially in post-conflict areas), free movement of people and civic participation in setting development practices; and conduct advocacy actions aimed at securing and safeguarding the right to these freedoms.
• Engage regional institutions such as the African Union to improve the application of democratic norms and standards such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
• Augment the advocacy skills within civil society organizations and increase their access to policy makers. Trust Africa convene, provide financial support and technical assistance to help organizations in countries with particularly fragile democracies to hold their governments accountable.
• Improve economic governance processes and frameworks, especially within the extractive industries.

Equitable Development - TrustAfrica supports initiatives to foster African enterprise and extend the benefits of economic growth to all members of society. Specifically, TrustAfrica supports research, analysis and advocacy to:

• Identify and mitigate barriers to public investments and policies that produce sustainable and equitable benefits.
• Document and disseminate best practices in investment promotion and private-sector development across Africa; and
• Harmonize national policies to stimulate regional trade and investment.

Achieving more equitable forms of development across the continent requires pro-poor investment climate reforms, greater investment in education and training, stronger regional institutions and policies that recognize the signficance of informal cross-border trade in spurring economic development and curbing poverty. The programs below reflect TrustAfrica's commitment to equity, inclusiveness and sustainability while spurring economic development in ways that help to alleviate poverty.