Develop Africa is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to address the educational and developmental needs of African communities. Develop Africa was founded on the belief that human resource development is the key to strengthening national capacity. Initially established to provide scholarships and educational materials to students, we have expanded our scope to include a broader range of educational initiatives and community development projects in response to user needs. 

Develop Africa strategically empowers lives by providing educational opportunities and strengthening self-reliance, enabling individuals, families, and communities to create positive change in their own lives. When lives are empowered, they become self-sufficient and rise above the poverty line. When individuals and families are strengthened, they can contribute to community, national, and international progress. 

Develop Africa was officially registered and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on January 30, 2006. With nearly two decades of continuous, on-the-ground work, our approach is shaped not by theory, but by real experience—what works, what fails, and what it takes to build systems that last.

We are improving access to education by providing scholarships, school supplies, and support for school infrastructure. We provide solar lights (so kids can study at night) and mosquito nets (to protect kids from malaria). We are also equipping individuals with computer/vocational training and practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship, with a focus on empowering women and girls. We collaborate with local communities and organizations to identify needs, prioritize projects, and ensure the sustainability of our interventions.

The general history of Africa since independence has been one of development failure. Develop Africa seeks to bridge the development deficit gap. Develop Africa's strategic mandate is to raise a new generation of African leaders by focusing on human capital development. We envision an African continent fully developed in human and resource capacity, free from poverty, ignorance, and civil conflict, and where the poorest and most vulnerable people become leaders and effectively manage their national resources.  

In Africa, countless bright minds are prevented from pursuing higher education and achieving success in the workforce by their circumstances. We provide scholarships, school supplies, vocational and leadership training, education in emerging technologies, mentorship, and business support to these children. 

Additionally, we recognize that children need to be healthy and safe to receive a proper education, so we strive to provide everything from healthcare and sexual education to mosquito nets and solar lights. We also provide disaster relief, which is crucial in areas lacking the resources for a quick recovery. 

We all know the proverb, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Well-known as it may be, countless problems could be alleviated worldwide if only that approach were taken.

 At our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Develop Africa, we provide education, child sponsorship, leadership development, workforce empowerment, and more to poverty-stricken African communities. We aid in breaking the cycle of poverty, so our impact is not limited to those we directly help - future generations will be born into a healthier, more prosperous, and developed world.

Develop Africa supports under-resourced children and youth — primarily in Sierra Leone —by expanding access to education, school supplies, scholarships, and digital skills opportunities. We work in close partnership with local schools, community leaders, parents/guardians, and a locally rooted Sierra Leone team/affiliate to identify needs, deliver programs, and monitor results. We also collaborate with U.S.-based and diaspora volunteers, individual donors, companies, and foundations that provide financial and in-kind support to advance community-led education and workforce readiness outcomes.

Develop Africa is rated/ranked as an effective and top-ranked organization on www.GlobalGiving.org  

Since 2006, directly and working in partnership with other organizations, we have sent school supplies, laptops and supported the education / vocational training of children, youths, and adults in the following countries: Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. Some of these initiatives were one-time or for one year. Others continued over several years.  

Please join us as we affect more lives. 

While we periodically provide educational resources to other countries, such as Liberia, our current efforts focus on Sierra Leone.

Develop Africa was founded on the belief that human resource development is the key to strengthening national capacity.

We believe that education and empowerment can drive sustainable development and positive change in individual lives and communities.

We believe that to change one's personal, national, or organizational status, there must necessarily be a change in the mind's thinking and processing patterns.

The environment must also be supportive, with roadblocks and obstacles removed. Development challenges must be addressed to support and enable lasting impact.

Education Access: Providing access to quality education for children and youth, including scholarships, school supplies, and school infrastructure support.

Skill Development: Offering vocational training and skill development programs to equip individuals with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

Empowerment: Empowering individuals, especially women and girls, through education and economic opportunities to improve their livelihoods and contribute to their communities.

Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities to identify their needs, prioritize projects, and ensure the sustainability of interventions.

Capacity Building: Building the capacity of local organizations and institutions to address development challenges and create lasting impact effectively.

Resource Mobilization: Mobilizing resources, including funding, volunteers, and in-kind donations, to support programs and initiatives.

Develop Africa is dedicated to practical approaches to address the challenges of developing nations in education and resource development. Through training, scholarships, sponsorships, investments, and partnerships with non-governmental organizations, Develop Africa is committed to developing Africa's human resources by uplifting vulnerable people. We promote transformational education, resource development, investment, vocational training, and strategic empowerment. Our premise is that to change one's personal, national, or organizational status, there must be a change in the mind's thinking and processing patterns.

At Develop Africa, we measure our success by the success of those we strive to serve. Because of our efforts, we have seen children stay in school and graduate, adults develop marketable skills, families maintain good health, and new business owners celebrate financial success and independence. These are lasting changes that are desperately needed throughout Africa. We're successful with these positive changes because we truly understand what it takes to be a force for development in Africa.  
 

Please visit our Projects page to learn more about our work.  
 

What Else Should You Know?

• Track Record: We have been in operation since 2006 and have a proven track record of successfully implementing projects and initiatives focused on education, empowerment, and community development in Africa.
• Transparency and Accountability: We maintain high standards of transparency and accountability in our operations. We provide regular updates and reports on our projects, finances, and impact, ensuring donors understand how their contributions are used. A financial audit is done each year.
• Evaluation, Goal Achievement, Continuous Improvement, and Adaptability: We periodically review our activities to gather valuable feedback and ensure our beneficiaries are making steady progress.  This has helped us identify and clear roadblocks.  We continuously seek new approaches and solutions to address the evolving needs, ensuring our programs remain relevant and impactful.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: We collaborate with local organizations, governments, and international agencies to leverage resources and expertise. This approach enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of our interventions.
• Local Expertise: We operate directly within African communities and partner with local organizations. Operating directly provides an advantage in understanding local needs, cultures, and challenges, resulting in more effective, culturally sensitive programs.
• Technology Adoption: We embrace technology and digital tools for fundraising, program delivery, monitoring/evaluation, and communication.
• GlobalGiving: We have been a partner on GlobalGiving.org since 2008 and are rated/ranked as an effective and top-ranked organization on www.GlobalGiving.org  
• Candid: We have attained a platinum level of transparency on Guidestar / Candid - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/652084e2-ce63-406f-a444-86eee91740f9

Useful Links  
 

Policies and Procedures: (Non-Discrimination, Conflict of Interest, etc.)

Headquarters Office Address in Tennessee  

Partnerships

Official Documents

Brochure

Your Team

Meet Sylvester, The Founder