Why Local NGOs Must Change or Disappear – A Wake-Up Call for African Civil Society

Turatsinze Juvenal
Oct 4
3 min read

Introduction: A Timely Message for Civil Society in Africa

In a rapidly changing world of development finance, shrinking donor support, and evolving citizen expectations, one truth has become evident: Local NGOs must evolve—or they will vanish. The challenges facing African civil society organisations (CSOs) today are not merely external—they are internal, structural, and strategic. Many NGOs struggle with declining relevance, weak leadership, donor dependency, and short-term project thinking.

To address this urgent reality, I am proud to introduce my new book:

“NGOs in Africa: Change, Adapt and Thrive, or Remain and Disappear!” How to Become Relevant, Effective, Self-Reliant, Resilient and Sustainable(Rwanda Case Study)

This book is more than a publication—it is a practical roadmap and a call to action for leaders of local NGOs, civil society platforms, development partners, and government institutions that care about the future of citizen-driven development.

The Core Message: Inside-Out Organisational Growth

The book proposes a powerful metaphor: Organisations grow like onions—from the inside out.At the heart of sustainable growth are five foundational layers:

Identity – Values, beliefs, and organisational culture
Leadership – Vision, mission, and clear goals
Management – Effective systems, structures, and governance
Collaboration – Networks, alliances, and collective voice
Resources – Human, financial, and material sustainability

Each chapter provides real-life examples, reflective questions, and action steps tailored to the African and Rwandan context—where civil society is vibrant but also facing systemic constraints.

Why This Book Matters Now

This book is rooted in over two decades of hands-on experience coaching, training, and mentoring NGOs and CSO platforms across Rwanda and other African countries. I have seen the best and worst of the sector—visionary organisations growing despite limited funding, and others slowly fading due to internal stagnation or donor exit.

In Rwanda, where Vision 2050 and NST2 call for inclusive and citizen-led development, local NGOs have a historic opportunity to reposition themselves—as actors of transformation, not just as project implementers. But this requires bold change.

“Donors may come and go, but organisational identity, leadership and resilience must remain.”— Juvenal Turatsinze

What You Will Find Inside the Book

A practical framework for organisational self-assessment and reinvention
Insights on localisation, sustainability, and leadership in African CSOs
Case studies and examples from Rwandan NGOs and CSO platforms
Tools for building strong governance, relevance, and financial self-reliance
A call to move from project logic to vision logic

Whether you are an NGO director, programme manager, board member, or development coach, this book offers a reflective mirror and a toolkit for growth.

A Rwanda Case Study with Continental Relevance

While the book is grounded in the Rwandan experience—drawing from local strategies such as the RCSP Localisation Index, national coordination mechanisms, and decentralised governance structures—it offers lessons applicable across Africa.

If you’re a civil society leader in Africa, this book is your companion to:

Survive the transition from aid-dependence to self-reliance
Grow your influence, impact, and integrity
Lead with purpose and stay relevant in your community

Get Your Copy Today

The book is available in print and digital versions. Soon to be released in French and Kinyarwanda as well.

👉 Order Now via www.formula-x-change.com/book👉 For workshops, coaching, or speaking engagements: info@formula-x-change.com, or turatsinzejuv@gmail.com

Final Word: Time to Reflect and Act

This book does not offer easy solutions. It offers real questions, tested frameworks, and practical wisdom drawn from decades of civil society building.

To all local NGOs: It’s time to change, adapt, and thrive—or risk disappearing. Let’s build the future from the inside out.

Writted by Juvenal TURATSINZE, Change Accelerator Specialist