About us

Shaping Africa through the voices of women and girls.

At the Graça Machel Trust, we work to ensure that women and girls are not only seen and heard — but are leading the transformation of Africa’s social, economic and political future.

What drives us

Founded in 2010, the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) is a Pan-African Public Benefit Organisation.

Our Vision

A prosperous Africa where women and girls drive inclusive transformation and champion social, political, and economic justice for all.

Our Mission

To advance systemic change so that African women and girls thrive.

Our strategic approach

Our vision propels us forward as we build on successes, deepen impact, and chart new paths. Rooted in the resilience of African women and girls, our strategy is centred on economic advancement and social justice. We are also bringing climate action to the heart of women’s economic progress and strengthening intergenerational impact, with a strong focus on adolescent girls.

In partnership with others, we pursue our mission through five core strategic goals:

Strategic goal 1: Accelerate women’s economic advancement

We support women entrepreneurs to grow thriving enterprises, strengthen their skills, and improve the business environment they work in.

Impact channels for this goal:

Women Creating Wealth

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Afrishela

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Strategic goal 2: Power pan African socio-economic transformation through collective action

We work with networks of women leaders who influence agendas at national, regional, and continental levels, advocating for policies that unlock women’s participation in key economic sectors.

Impact channels for this goal:

Network partners

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Office of the Founder

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Strategic goal 3: Champion African adolescent girls as change agents

We nurture girls’ leadership, create safe spaces for their voices, and enable them to shape decisions that affect their lives.

Impact channels for this goal:

GMT Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement

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Strategic goal 4: Honour African women’s legacies

We institutionalize the legacy of our Founder and document the contributions of African women leaders, ensuring their stories inspire generations.

Impact channels for this goal:

Office of the Founder

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Strategic goal 5: Institution Strengthening and Building Sustainability

We invest in a skilled team, resilient systems, and sustainable growth so that GMT can remain a catalyst for transformation in Africa and globally.

Impact channels for this goal:

  • GMT staff
  • Implementing partners
  • Strategic partners

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Guiding Values

In its partnerships and ethos, the Trust will demonstrate the following values:

Integrity

We act with honesty and consistency, strengthening trust and ensuring genuine, lasting impact.

Courage

We boldly address Africa’s toughest challenges, championing marginalised voices and daring to innovate.

Excellence

We set ambitious goals and deliver high-quality work that inspires confidence and progress.

Accountability

We hold ourselves to high standards, ensuring transparency and reliability in everything we do.

Collaboration

We unite diverse perspectives and resources to spark solutions that drive inclusive transformation.

Caring

We value solidarity, dignity, and meaningful connection, grounding all our work in humanity.

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