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Consulting to Advance the Shift the Power Agenda in West Africa

September 3, 2025 In OpEds By

Consulting to Advance the Shift the Power Agenda in West Africa

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How can indigenous consultants drive locally led development and strengthen African civil society? In this Op-Ed, Allwell Akhigbe shares his transformative journey as part of the West Africa Consultant for Change (C4C) Network, convened by WACSI with support from INTRAC and Comic Relief. The piece explores how consulting with a “soul” can advance the Shift the Power agenda, diversify funding, and build stronger, more sustainable CSOs across the region.

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Allwell Akhigbe
Travaille Ensemble

Allwell Akhigbe is a bilingual fundraising consultant dedicated to shifting power to African NGOs and social enterprises by advancing financial sustainability through innovative income models, strategic donor mapping, fundraising planning, and grant writing. With over eight years’ experience, he has helped organisations across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America secure more than $10 million from bilateral, multilateral, and foundation donors.

He co-founded Travaille Ensemble to support francophone and anglophone NGOs with resource mobilisation, capacity building, and business development. Allwell holds an MBA from Nexford University (Washington D.C.) and an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Certified in French (DELF B2), he has lived and worked across Francophone West Africa, strengthening his ability to serve diverse partners.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allwell-akhigbe-mba-39484380/

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    <p data-start="66" data-end="520">Allwell Akhigbe is a bilingual fundraising consultant dedicated to shifting power to African NGOs and social enterprises by advancing financial sustainability through innovative income models, strategic donor mapping, fundraising planning, and grant writing. With over eight years’ experience, he has helped organisations across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America secure more than $10 million from bilateral, multilateral, and foundation donors.</p> <p data-start="522" data-end="959">He co-founded <strong data-start="536" data-end="558">Travaille Ensemble</strong> to support francophone and anglophone NGOs with resource mobilisation, capacity building, and business development. Allwell holds an MBA from Nexford University (Washington D.C.) and an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Certified in French (DELF B2), he has lived and worked across Francophone West Africa, strengthening his ability to serve diverse partners. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allwell-akhigbe-mba-39484380/</p>

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