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Development Worker of the Year 2026 Statement by Bikila Tesfaye
Bikila Tesfaye is an Ethiopian sociologist, humanitarian practitioner, researcher, and development professional committed to advancing social justice, community development, and the protection of vulnerable populations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development, and a Master of Arts in Sociology.
With over a decade of experience in government and non-governmental organizations, Bikila has contributed to humanitarian and development programs focusing on community empowerment, education, refugee protection, youth development, and social inclusion. His work reflects a strong commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities through evidence-based practice, research, and advocacy.
As a researcher, Bikila’s academic interests include gender-based violence, refugee protection, social policy, community development, and humanitarian action. He has published scholarly articles in international journals and actively serves as a peer reviewer, contributing to the advancement of quality research in the social sciences.
Bikila is also a passionate lifelong learner who has completed over 100 professional development courses in one year through the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. He is a (2024) Humanitarian Learner of the Year by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and strengthening his expertise in humanitarian leadership, safeguarding, research methods, and development practice.
In recognition of his dedication to social development and humanitarian service, Bikila Tesfaye was honored with the 2026 Development Worker of the Year Award by the African Social Work & Development Network (ASWDNet). This prestigious recognition celebrates his outstanding contribution to promoting social development, empowering communities, and advancing sustainable change across Africa.
Bikila believes that lasting development is achieved through inclusive leadership, ethical practice, research-informed decision-making, and meaningful community participation. He remains committed to promoting dignity, equality, and opportunities for all while inspiring the next generation of African development professionals.
Mtandao Awards 2026
The Mtandao Awards 2026 were presented for the first time in person, at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD 2026) in Nairobi, Kenya. The ceremony took place at Booth 16, Tsavo Ballroom Exhibition Area, KICC Nairobi, facilitated by Meinrad Lembuka and Ropafadzo A Tome. The awards recognise excellence in African social work and social development, honouring individuals, students and organisations whose work advances the profession and its African foundations.
Wazee Award, Mama Afia Mugambi, Kenya
A senior social worker and pioneer of one of the oldest schools of social work in Kenya, established in the 1970s and known as the Israeli School of Social Work. Mama Mugambi’s contribution to social work education in Kenya represents decades of service to the profession and to the communities it serves. The award is given by Mtandao – Africa Social Work and Development Network to recognise our seniors who have contributed immensely to the development of the social work profession.
Divine Kodjo Exorgbe, Ghana Social worker of the year
Divine is National President of the Social Workers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and Municipal Head of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development for the Adenta Municipal Assembly in Accra. He was awarded for his leadership in child protection and for driving professional social work leadership across Ghana.
Professor Abye Tasse, Ethiopia and France Lifetime achievement award
Professor Tasse served as President of IASSW from 2004 to 2008 and has chaired the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development, first from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2020 to 2030. He rebuilt social work education in Ethiopia as the first Dean of the School of Social Work at Addis Ababa University in 2004, and has advanced the profession across Africa, Mauritania and Congo. He was awarded for a lifetime spent building social work education and leadership on the continent and beyond.
Professor Linda Hams Smith, South Africa Decolonising award
Professor Hams Smith applies decolonising frameworks to social work research and practice in Africa. She was awarded for challenging Eurocentric methodologies and for centring African and Indigenous knowledges in the production of knowledge.
Professor Emerita Linda Kreitzer, Canada Decolonising award
Professor Kreitzer has spent her career advancing the decolonisation of social work knowledge, education and practice in Africa. She was awarded for scholarship that challenges Eurocentric frameworks and builds the case for African-led knowledge systems.
Bikila Tesfaye, Ethiopia Developmental worker of the year
Bikila is a development practitioner with seven years of experience working with youth, people with disabilities, refugees and host communities. As a youth training facilitator at the Development Expertise Center, he delivered life skills, digital literacy and entrepreneurship training. He was awarded for mobilising communities with limited resources to lasting impact.
Vongai P Mangwiro, Zimbabwe Social development award
Vongai is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Zimbabwe whose work spans mental health, disability, rehabilitation, drug and substance abuse, and children and adults in conflict with the law. She was awarded for advancing rights-based social development in Zimbabwe.
Dr Thembelihle Brenda Makhanya, South Africa Social work education award
Dr Makhanya is a programme leader at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She has built a decolonial Bachelor of Social Work programme grounded in African-centred knowledge, with extensive peer-reviewed publications on Ubuntu, climate justice and inclusive higher education across Africa. She was awarded for this contribution to decolonial social work education.
Linah Mahlaola, South Africa Student award
Linah is a Bachelor of Social Work student at UNISA committed to community development. She has volunteered with COSUP, the Department of Social Development, and advocacy campaigns for people with disabilities and older persons. She was awarded for combining learning with practice in South Africa.
Tafadzwa Mhereyenyoka, Zimbabwe Student award
Tafadzwa is a Level Four social work student at the University of Zimbabwe whose research examines child protection service delivery in geographically extensive rural districts. Grounded in field placement experience with Zimbabwe’s Department of Social Development, her work addresses structural barriers faced by social workers and vulnerable families. She was awarded for this contribution to social work scholarship as a student.
ASWEA (1965 to 1989), Pan-African Service award
The Association of Social Work Education in Africa laid the groundwork for pan-African social work education and decolonised practice across the continent for over two decades. Mtandao honours ASWEA as its predecessor and continues its legacy through the Sankofa framework. ASWEA was awarded in recognition of this foundational contribution.
IASSW, International Service award
The International Association of Schools of Social Work was recognised for funding the Ubuntu Ushahidi Digital Project, advancing African knowledge sharing and decolonised social work education through Mtandao’s digital platform.
Day of the African Child Conference Students Committee (DACCS), Pan-African Service award
DACCS was recognised for successfully hosting DACCS 2025 and DACCS 2026, with the 2026 event doubling to 28 presentations in six and a half hours on 16 June 2026, focused on the African Union theme of water and sanitation. Students from Africa and beyond took part as presenters, chairs and attendees.
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