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Who We Are

Transforming Lives. Empowering Communities. Building a Resilient Africa.

alignAfrica, formerly known as Tiruzer Ethiopia for Africa (TEA), is a rights based, locally rooted and community led development and humanitarian organization founded in 2009 in Ethiopia.

We work alongside communities and partners to address the root causes of poverty, inequality, injustice, conflict, displacement and climate related vulnerability, while expanding opportunities, strengthening resilience and building systems that enable people to shape their own futures.

Our work prioritizes women and girls, youth, children and OVC, persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons and underserved communities.

Locally Rooted. Community Led. Built for Lasting Impact.

Safeguarding at alignAfrica
πŸ›‘οΈ Verified Status
Educate | Empower | Engage | Advocate

Our Strategy

EDUCATE

We expand access to quality education, knowledge, skills and practical learning that enable people and institutions to make informed decisions, unlock potential and create lasting change.

EMPOWER

We strengthen livelihoods, employment, entrepreneurship, health and wellbeing, resilience and leadership, with particular attention to women, youth, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.

ENGAGE

We ensure communities meaningfully participate in identifying priorities, designing solutions, making decisions, implementing action and assessing results.

ADVOCATE

We use evidence, learning, partnerships and community voice to advance rights, inclusion, gender equality, accountability, opportunity, peace and stronger systems.

OUR APPROACH

At alignAfrica, we believe sustainable development is achieved when communities are empowered to lead their own transformation. Guided by our VIP Framework.

V

Village Ownership

Communities are at the center of decisions, implementation, ownership, and sustainable change.

I

Impartation & Learning

We share knowledge, strengthen capacity, encourage continuous learning, and turn experience into better solutions.

P

Partnership & Teamwork

We collaborate across communities, institutions, government, donors, civil society, academia, and private sector partners.

WHO WE SERVE

Women & Girls

Fostering inclusive development, education, and social equality.

Youth

Equipping the next generation with modern skills and resource networks.

Children & OVC

Securing safety, educational resources, and emotional care systems.

PWDs & Refugees

Promoting accessibility, community-first inclusion, and resilient dignity.

WHO WE WORK WITH

Communities
Government Institutions
Civil Society Organizations
INGOs & UN Agencies
Donors & Foundations
Academic Institutions
Private Sector
We build partnerships around trust, complementary strengths, shared accountability, learning and measurable results.

Vision

An inclusive and resilient Africa where communities thrive with dignity, opportunity, and the power to shape sustainable futures.

Mission

To advance community-led development through locally owned solutions, systems strengthening, strategic partnerships, and measurable sustainable impact across Africa.

Empowerment

We strengthen skills, leadership, innovation, and economic opportunity so communities can build resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable futures.

Equity & Inclusion

We promote dignity, safeguarding, accessibility, equitable access, and meaningful participation for all people, especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, displaced populations, and underserved communities.

Accountability & Integrity

We uphold transparency, ethical stewardship, responsible resource management, and institutional accountability in our work with communities, partners, and donors.

Community Ownership & Adaptability

We value local knowledge, cultural diversity, and community leadership. By listening, learning, and adapting to local realities, we co-create practical and context-responsive solutions.

Resilience & Sustainable Futures

We strengthen local capacity and sustainable systems that help communities withstand climate shocks, conflict, displacement, economic instability, and public health emergencies.

Partnership & Collaboration

We believe lasting impact is achieved through strategic partnerships, shared accountability, collaborative action, and community-led development.

Our Values

Empowerment

We strengthen skills, leadership, innovation, and economic opportunity so communities can build resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable futures.

Equity & Inclusion

We promote dignity, safeguarding, accessibility, equitable access, and meaningful participation for all people, especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, displaced populations, and underserved communities.

Accountability & Integrity

We uphold transparency, ethical stewardship, responsible resource management, and institutional accountability in our work with communities, partners, and donors.

Community Ownership & Adaptability

We value local knowledge, cultural diversity, and community leadership. By listening, learning, and adapting to local realities, we co-create practical and context-responsive solutions.

Resilience & Sustainable Futures

We strengthen local capacity and sustainable systems that help communities withstand climate shocks, conflict, displacement, economic instability, and public health emergencies.

Partnership & Collaboration

We believe lasting impact is achieved through strategic partnerships, shared accountability, collaborative action, and community-led development.

Message from the Patron

I am pleased to support alignAfrica and its commitment to locally led, inclusive, and sustainable development across Ethiopia and, progressively, Africa.

Since 2009, alignAfrica has worked with communities and partners across education, health, protection and inclusion, humanitarian response, livelihoods, climate resilience, and WASH.

Through local knowledge, evidence, innovation, and partnerships, alignAfrica strengthens resilience, expands opportunity, and supports refugees, IDPs, and host communities.

I encourage donors, INGOs, foundations, and development partners to partner with alignAfrica to advance locally led solutions, strengthen systems, and achieve lasting impact.

H.E. Thomas Tut Puok, alignAfrica

Message from the Executive Director

Since 2009, alignAfrica has grown from a simple conviction: lasting change is built with communities, not for them.

Our journey has taught us to listen deeply, learn continuously, and adapt wisely, building on the strengths within communities. This principle guides how we work, partner, and measure impact.

Today, we strengthen alignAfrica around locally led action, quality programming, measurable results, strong systems, learning, and accountability. We invest in our people, capabilities, and partnerships so that resources create meaningful, lasting change.

Our ambition is clearΒ  to be an organization that communities trust, partners value, and institutions can rely on: capable, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement.

I am deeply grateful to our communities, staff, partners, and supporters whose trust has shaped this journey. We will continue to listen, learn, and walk together toward lasting change.

Yonas Mamo Zewudie
Phone: +251 933 920 666 | Email: yonasm@alignafrica.org