In January 2025, the United States government enacted a foreign aid funding freeze that halted billions of dollars in development and humanitarian assistance worldwide. In Africa, the freeze triggered an unprecedented crisis for civil society organizations (CSOs) that rely on USG support to deliver essential services in health, education, livelihoods, and human rights. This sudden disruption not only destabilized directly funded CSOs but also rippled across networks, coalitions, and grassroots partners dependent on shared resources. From Fragility to Fortitude captures the scope and human impact of this crisis, marking the first continent-wide effort to document and understand its consequences.
About the Report
From Fragility to Fortitude is the first pan-African survey documenting the impact of the US government funding freeze on African civil society organizations (CSOs).
Drawing on responses from over 550 CSOs across 42 countries, the report reveals widespread service cuts, program closures, and threats to organizational survival.
It highlights how the freeze disrupted critical health, education, and livelihoods initiatives, leaving vulnerable communities without essential support.
The report also showcases CSOs’ resilience, adaptation strategies, and calls for a reimagined, African-led approach to sustainable financing.
