Africa and more so sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) boasts a rich pool of active and emerging C4D practitioners. However, while C4D holds a pivotal position in social and economic progression in SSA, there exists a knowledge gap of who these professionals are.
Additionally, a common lack of differentiation between the identity of C4D practitioners amongst other communication professionals in general also exists. Notably, the experiences and opportunities C4D practitioners in various regions worldwide are unique to specific regions hence the need for regional C4D professionals networking hubs.
As a network of C4D professionals, the C4D global network has had active representation in Africa since 2007. In fact, the network enjoys a strong community of C4D professionals as evidenced by several networking events and meetups held in Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, Cameroon, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sudan and Eritrea. The whole essence of the C4D Network’s Africa hub is for C4D professionals in Africa to connect with each other in order not to feel isolated.
Additionally, the Africa hub is a great opportunity for peer support and knowledge exchange and for C4D practitioners to share opportunities locally and internationally. This is a great way for C4D professionals in Africa to learn from each other and therefore enhance their practice and impact.
The hub will play an outstanding role in carving out a clear identity for C4D practitioners in the region. This is in addition to the creation of opportunities for collaborations with experts across the globe for example in C4D related research addressing 21st century problems.
The Africa hub will therefore mean more opportunities for example by building a pool of C4D service providers and deeper networking, capacity development, to learn and showcase talent and unique C4D approaches in the region. Overall, the C4D Network’s Africa hub is envisioned to be a partnership and mutual aspiration where more intensely interact and showcase ongoing work and have greater impact, and practical impact.