NAPA

The NCA Advocacy Programme for Africa (NAPA) is a regional initiative working across sub-Saharan Africa to amplify the voices of faith-based actors in addressing some of the continent’s most urgent transnational challenges. Based in Nairobi, Kenya the NAPA regional office serves as a hub for bold, coordinated advocacy on peacebuilding, climate justice, gender equality, natural resource governance, and economic justice, including fair taxation.

Why it matters

Across Africa, the challenges are urgent and interconnected.

Sub-Saharan Africa holds some of the highest levels of income inequality in the world, with over 50% of people living below the poverty line. Despite the region's wealth in minerals, economic benefits have bypassed the majority, deepening poverty and marginalisation. Mineral extraction has not brought shared prosperity—instead, it has fueled conflict and further concentrated wealth and power in the hands of global corporations, white minorities, and political elites.

In East and Central Africa, persistent armed conflict, ethnic tension, and cross-border struggles for resources have destabilized the region. Weak governance, corruption, and marginalisation of ethnic and religious groups—especially youth and women—have fueled unrest and made both regions vulnerable to cycles of violence, exclusion, and exploitation.

Citizens in Sub-Saharan Africa often find their rights only exist on paper. Trust in governments is low, civic space is shrinking, and people—especially women and youth—are left out of decision-making processes, economic opportunities, and the right to shape their futures. NAPA exists to change that.

What we do

Build peace and foster dialogue

We work with civil society and faith actors to transform stereotypes, dismantle harmful narratives, and address the root causes of division and violence. In regions torn by political, ethnic, and religious conflict, we use dialogue, cultural events, joint sports, and psychosocial support to bring communities back together—across lines of age, gender, and faith.

Fight inequality and injustice

NAPA confronts the systems that fuel injustice. We advocate for fair and just management of Africa’s mineral and natural resources so that extraction benefits local communities, not just elites. Through our work on tax justice, we push for reforms at national and global levels—supporting initiatives like the UN Tax Convention to end illicit financial flows and create a fairer global tax system.

Hold power to account

With trust in political leadership declining, and civic space under attack, NAPA strengthens communities to speak up. We support civil society and faith actors to monitor public resources, push back against restrictive laws, and demand accountability from those in power. This helps rebuild the broken social contract between citizens and their governments.

Champion gender justice

Women are disproportionately excluded from education, healthcare, infrastructure, and leadership—especially in conflict zones. Yet they remain vital agents of healing and reconciliation. NAPA works to bring women into decision-making spaces, ensure their rights are realized, and promote peace and justice aligned with UNSCR 1325 and regional gender frameworks.

Drive faith-based climate action

As climate change worsens the region’s vulnerability, we mobilize faith leaders to speak out on environmental degradation, climate financing, and extractive exploitation. Our faith-based approach calls for urgent climate action that protects creation and centers those most affected.