Korhogo, Séguéla, and Mankono AMGs at the Orange offices in Korhogo.
As The Challenge Initiative (TCI) team in Francophone West Africa began preparing 16 active cities to move beyond TCI’s direct support, it did more than just wrap up this phase of engagement. It laid the groundwork for long-term, locally driven advocacy.
Rather than slow down, city stakeholders stepped up.
In the second quarter of 2025, TCI trained and equipped 127 local actors – 62 women and 65 men – to lead Advocacy and Monitoring Groups (AMGs) in 16 cities across Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. These groups were formed to ensure that advocacy for family planning and reproductive health doesn’t just survive after TCI’s support ends, but grows even stronger.
Each AMG now has a practical, locally tailored advocacy plan. Their strategies include conducting regular meetings, engaging city mayors and health authorities, and mobilizing resources from within and beyond the municipal budget.
From Planning to Action in Korhogo
In Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire, the training sparked something remarkable.
The city’s AMG didn’t stop at theoretical discussions. Together with groups in Séguéla and Mankono, they took real steps to test new approaches to resource mobilization. Three promising strategies were identified: crowdfunding through mobile money, securing sponsorships through Corporate Social Responsibility channels, and engaging the diaspora through micro-donations.
These groups have reached out to Orange Côte d’Ivoire, one of the country’s largest mobile network operators, to explore sponsorship opportunities and launch a crowdfunding campaign. Their goal is to organize a Special Family Planning Day in Korhogo soon.
Docteur Soro Fara, 3rd Deputy Mayor of the city of Korhogo, highlighted:
These efforts – from external support to full local ownership and corporate outreach – show what’s possible when local actors are trained, trusted, and empowered.”
A Different Kind of Leadership in Lomé
An AMG meeting made up of local religious leaders.
In Lomé, Togo, local ownership took another form: deep engagement from religious and traditional leaders. When the city’s AMGs were formed, members unanimously chose two Master Coaches from these groups to lead. It was a clear sign of trust and community buy-in.
Rev. Dr. Alidjinou Yawovi – a Master Coach and President of the Agoè-Nyivé AMG who also heads a regional evangelical church network – didn’t just lead in name. He committed 200,000 CFA francs (~$346 USD) of personal funds to the cause, with the contribution deposited directly into the project’s account. He highlighted:
As a religious leader, I believe it is our duty to care for the well-being of our communities. That’s why I not only chose to lead the advocacy group in Agoè-Nyivé, but also personally contributed 200,000 CFA francs. Supporting family planning is an act of faith in the future of our families.”
His AMG continues to meet regularly, actively advancing its advocacy agenda.
From Korhogo to Lomé, these engagements show that with the right support, communities will take charge. As TCI support evolves, local advocacy is not slowing down. It is gaining strength, driven by committed leaders on the ground.
