In response to the growing threat of violent extremism in Africa, UNDP aims to strengthen development responses and mitigate the growth of violent extremism in Africa. While a security-centered approach to violent extremism is necessary, it needs to be complemented by a development approach, focusing on long-term change at the structural level, such as strengthening the respect for human rights and the rule of law, providing socio-economic opportunities, increasing participation of excluded groups in decision making, and engaging them in prevention and mediation efforts, as well as working with the media, faith-based organizations and religious leaders to actively promote inclusion and tolerance. At the regional level, the project supports the capacity of the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities, including Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

At the national level, the project provides technical and financial support to 21 countries clustered into three categories: ‘epicentre countries’ – Libya, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia; ‘spill-over countries’- Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritania, Niger, Tunisia; and, in ‘at-risk’ countries – Benin, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.

Journey to Extremism in Africa | UNDP in Africa https://journey-to-extremism.undp.org/enter