Africa Day is celebrated on May 25th each year to mark the founding of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) in 1963. It’s a day to recognize the achievements of African countries and amplify African unity, culture, innovation, and potential.
Africa is often reduced to a single story – typically one of poverty, disease, hunger or conflict. Another narrative that has gained currency is that continent is a “black hole of investing.” Africa is too risky and too fragmented. It is a financial backwater where good money is chasing bad (or no) returns. Such simplistic framings need to be tackled as they turn off would-be investors and curtail capital flows into the continent. It is even more pressing as sweeping cuts to foreign assistance by leading donors, including the United States and the United Kingdom, threaten to reverse hard-earned progress.
This year, ONE is focusing on how investing in Africa isn’t charity—it’s smart, impactful, and delivers real returns.
Here are 3 ways you can get involved!
Host an Event!
Africa Day is a great chance to get out into our communities and partner with groups on their events, and to amplify your advocacy. Here are some ideas to get you started:
🌍 Join or Support an existing Africa Day Event
- Represent ONE at an Africa Day event (these may be happening on the day itself, or in the days around 5/25 given the US holiday weekend)
- Wear your ONE gear, table to collect letters if possible
🍽 African Meal Meetup
Host a dinner at a local African restaurant!
- Ask the owner if you can share ONE materials with other customers
✉ Letter-Writing Night
- Write Letters to the Editor about why Africa Day and US investments matter
- Be sure to personalize your story!
Partner with Faith Groups
- Ask to share a short announcement
- Offer to co-host an Africa Day celebration or film screening
🎨 Art, Music, or Storytelling Night
- Partner with local African artists or diaspora groups
- Showcase art, music, poetry at an open mic or gallery night
If you host an event, let us know by emailing [email protected]!
Write to your Member of Congress
At ONE, we believe your voice is your power. Let your lawmakers know you care by writing and sending them a letter! (Maybe grab a couple friends and have them write, too!)
📝 Sample Handwritten Letter 📝
Dear Sen./Rep. [INSERT NAME],
I am writing today in support of smart US investments in foreign assistance. US leadership in global health and economic growth has saved millions of lives, helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and ensured countries have the capacity to transform into thriving trade partners for US businesses.
Investment in global development is not only the right thing to do – it is in our country’s best interest. America’s investment in development and fighting extreme poverty yields an extraordinary return for US taxpayers, cultivating stable markets and reliable partners to stand alongside the US on the global stage.
As the FY26 appropriation process continues, I hope you will keep in mind that the residents of [STATE OR DISTRICT] like me feel strongly about ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has the chance to lead a life of dignity and opportunity.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE NUMBER]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]
Post on Social Media
Want to spread the word about Africa Day? Share the good news on social media! Here are a couple posts to get you started – or share one of the many stories of successful investments in Africa!
- This #AfricaDay, let’s challenge the myths and celebrate the real story: Investing in Africa is investing in the world’s future. #InvestInAfrica @ONECampaign
- 💡 Investing in Africa = strong returns, stable partners, and shared progress. Let’s keep US engagement with the continent strong. #InvestInAfrica #AfricaDay @ONECampaign
