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Africa Social Work and Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrica
Africa Social Work & Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrika

Africa Social Work & Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrika

Mtandao creates, aggregates and disseminates information and resources to facilitate Social Work and Development Work in Africa.

  • ACADEMICS
    • Lecture Resources
    • Lectures
    • Fieldwork Resources
    • Approaches to assessing learning
    • Types of University Assessments
    • Book Publishing
      • Book_Professional Social Work in Zimbabwe
    • ASWDNet Guide to Writing (Journals)
    • ASWDNet Guide to Writing and Publishing
  • PRACTITIONERS
    • Values and Ethics in Africa
    • Africa Social Work and Development Awards
    • Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
    • Templates, Models, Frameworks and Assessment Tools
    • African Theories
    • Supervision
  • STUDENTS
    • Social Work and Development Student Conference (SWDSC)
    • 12 Steps to Get Published
    • Tips for Prospective Doctoral Students
    • ASWDNet Guide to Writing (Academic Research Brief| Proposal | Thesis)
    • Writing a journal article could be as easy as making fufu, nsima, ugali or matoke!
    • Lectures
  • RESEARCHERS
    • Research Methods
    • Qualitative data levels of analysis
    • African Independent Ethics Committee (AIEC)
    • Research Questions Bank
    • Publisher/Journal Checker
    • Research Strategies
    • Reviewers
    • Ubuntu Research Group (URG)
    • Kuumba (Mentoring)
      • SURVEY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FOR AFRICA
      • Mentees
      • Mentors
      • Guidelines
    • Afrocentric Mentoring Project (AfroME)
      • Team
      • Partners
      • Call for Applications for the Afrocentric and Decolonial Social Work Mentoring Project (now closed)
  • ASSOCIATIONS
  • TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
  • COMMUNITIES
    • Ubuntu Fundraising and Charity Principles
    • COVID-19
    • Social Work for Children
    • Funda KiSwahili
  • MEMBERS
  • Africa Philosophy
  • African Theories
  • Research Methods
  • Library | Databases
  • Social Work
    • Social Work Education institutions (SWEI) in Africa
    • Biography of Social Development in Africa
      • Charlotte Makgomo-Mannya Maxeke (1871-1939)
      • Zahia Marzouk (1906 – 1988)
      • Regina Gelana Twala (1908-1968)
      • Mai Musodzi Chibhaga Ayema (1885-1952)
      • Nnoseng Ellen Kate Kuzwayo (1914 – 2006)
      • Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo (19 June 1917 – 1 July 1999)
      • Jairos Jiri (1921 – 1982)
      • Kenneth Buchizya Kaunda (1924-2021)
      • John Samuel Mbiti (1931-2019)
      • Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kent (1932-2004)
      • Winnie Madikizela-Mandela 1936–2016
      • Ngugi wa Mirii (1951 – May 3, 2008)
      • Andrew Chad Nyanguru (28 Mar 1953-14 May 2014)
      • Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa
      • Edwell Kaseke (1954-2017)
      • Lovemore Mbigi
      • Selassie Seyoum Gebre (1936-)
      • Arega Yimam (-c1989)
      • Dr Noel Garikai Muridzo
      • Dr Edmos Mthethwa
      • Phillip Manyanye Bohwasi
      • Wassie Kebede
      • Gidraph G Wairire
      • Wangari Muta Maathai
      • Uzoma Odera Okoye, Dr
    • Social Work Journals and Other Serial Publications in Africa (ASWDNet Index)
    • Association of Social Work Education in Africa (ASWEA) – 1965 to 1989
    • Future of Social Work in Africa
    • Environmental Social Work
  • Development
    • Developmental Work Database
  • Ubuntu
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  • Africa
    • African Anthem (African Union)
    • Umoja waAfrica (African Union)
    • African symbols and alphabets
    • Fundi – The African Dictionary and Encyclopaedia of Social Work and Development
    • Africa Religion (uAfrica)
    • Africa Research Ethics and Malpractice Statement (AREMS)
    • The San Code of Research Ethics (San Code)
  • Blog
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    • Become a Blogger
    • Admin ASWDNet
    • Babekazi
    • Professor Roy@Indigenous Social Work
    • Mutape J.D.S Sithole
    • Alemayehu Gebru from Ethiopia, Jimma City
    • Rugare Mugumbate
    • Decolonise
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    • Environmental work
    • Africa religion | Spirituality
    • Kudzai Mwapaura blogger
    • All Posts Basket
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YOU ARE HERE » Home » Social development
« Back to Glossary Index
Aliko Dangote’s vision of Africa’s future: Implications for developmental social work curriculum, teaching, learning and practice Admin ASWDNet
Comparing Ubuntu-grounded research ethics: the African Research Ethics and Malpractice Statement (AREMS) and the San Code of Research Ethics, and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Ethics - African views
Decolonising Awards Speech by Linda Harms-Smith: Work on decoloniality means disrupting dynamics of ongoing coloniality Awards

Social development

« Back to Glossary Index

Social development refers to dealing with social issues and problems at the macro, societal and structural levels of society – social policies, social structures and social institutions as opposed to individual development, family development and community development.

« Back to Glossary Index

AFRICA-WIDE INSTITUTIONS

ASWEA logo

ASWEA 1965-1989

Umoja waAfrika (AU) Former OAU Toto/Brief | Agenda63

ADF

Part of ADB

ASSWA logo

ASSWA

Since 2005

PAWO (AU Arm)

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COUNTRY INFORMATION (SOCIAL WORK & DEVELOPMENT)

  • Algeria 🇩🇿
  • Angola 🇦🇴
  • Benin 🇧🇯
  • Botswana 🇧🇼
  • Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
  • Burundi 🇧🇮
  • Cabo Verde 🇨🇻
  • Cameroon 🇨🇲
  • Central Africa Republic 🇨🇫
  • Chad 🇹🇩
  • Comoros 🇰🇲
    • Mayotte of Comoro
  • Congo, DR 🇨🇩
  • Congo 🇨🇬
  • Cote D’Ivoire 🇨🇮
  • Djibouti 🇩🇯
  • Egypt 🇪🇬
  • Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
  • Eritrea 🇪🇷
  • Eswatini 🇸🇿
  • Ethiopia 🇪🇹
  • Gabon 🇬🇦
  • Gambia, The 🇬🇲
  • Ghana 🇬🇭
  • Guinea 🇬🇳
  • Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼
  • Kenya 🇰🇪
  • Lesotho 🇱🇸
  • Liberia 🇱🇷
  • Libya 🇱🇾
  • Madagascar 🇲🇬
  • Malawi 🇲🇼
  • Mali 🇲🇱
  • Mauritania 🇲🇷
  • Mauritius 🇲🇺
  • Morocco 🇲🇦
  • Mozambique 🇲🇿
  • Namibia 🇳🇦
  • Niger 🇳🇪
  • Nigeria 🇳🇬
  • Rwanda 🇷🇼
  • Sao Tome and Principe 🇸🇹
  • Senegal 🇸🇳
  • Seychelles 🇸🇨
  • Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
  • Somalia 🇸🇴
  • South Africa 🇿🇦
  • South Sudan 🇸🇸
  • Sudan 🇸🇩
  • Togo 🇹🇬
  • Tanzania 🇹🇿
  • Tunisia 🇹🇳
  • Uganda 🇺🇬
  • Western Sahara (SADR)
  • Zambia 🇿🇲
  • Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
  • “Dongo”
  • ‘Wakanda’
  • Umoja waAfrica (African Union)
  • Afro-Caribbeans
    • Haiti
  • Afro-Latinos
  • Melanesia
    • Aboriginal Countries
    • Papua New Guinea
    • West Papua
  • Afro-Asians ‘Sidi’

Decolonisation Calculator (DECA). What is the rate of decolonisation of social work and development training, education and research in your country? Use this simple calculator.

COVID-19 FINAL UPDATE: Africa Infections: 12.3 million people. Deaths 260 000. World infections: 650 million. Deaths 6.7 million. Data aggregated by ASWDNet on 12 December 2022. View this COVID-19 references list for Africa.

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Member Testimonials

What attracts me to Mtandao

My name is Okima Innocent Lawrence. I am deeply passionate about social work, community empowerment, and ethical social work practice across Africa. My professional journey over the past eight years has involved community stakeholder engagement, psychosocial support
…
My name is Okima Innocent Lawrence. I am deeply passionate about social work, community empowerment, and ethical social work practice across Africa. My professional journey over the past eight years has involved community stakeholder engagement, psychosocial support coordination, survivor restoration, mentorship, and grassroots mobilization. I have worked closely with vulnerable communities, facilitated over 100 stakeholder mentorship engagements, supported survivors of gender-based violence and land injustices, and helped establish women’s support groups.
What attracts me to Mtandao/ASWDNet is its strong commitment to advancing African-led social work knowledge, contextual practice, and professional solidarity. I believe in strengthening indigenous approaches to social work and contributing to knowledge production that reflects African realities.
I bring practical field experience, research interest in trauma-informed care, documentation skills, and commitment to ethical and transformative practice. I hope to contribute through active engagement in discussions, sharing practice insights from Uganda, contributing articles where possible, and collaborating in regional knowledge exchange initiatives.
Okima Innocent Lawrence
Mtandao Member Number 143, Joined February 2026
Read more “What attracts me to Mtandao”

Inspired by Mtandao mission and goals (Bikila Tesfaye, Mtandao member number 143)

I am from the Gambella region, specifically Gambela City in Ethiopia. I joined ASWDNet after searching for membership related to my academic and professional background and was inspired by your mission and goals. I envision collaborating
…
I am from the Gambella region, specifically Gambela City in Ethiopia. I joined ASWDNet after searching for membership related to my academic and professional background and was inspired by your mission and goals. I envision collaborating through knowledge and skill sharing, as well as joint initiatives that address common challenges in our communities. I recommend enhancing research, training programmes, and networking opportunities. See my interview here.

Bikila Tesfaye
 

Read more “Inspired by Mtandao mission and goals (Bikila Tesfaye, Mtandao member number 143)”

Deeply inspired by Mtandao/ASWDNet’s mission

Dear ASWDNet Team, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Hilda Ngaja a social worker based in Tanzania. I recently came across the African Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet) and was deeply
…
Dear ASWDNet Team,
I hope this message finds you well.
My name is Hilda Ngaja a social worker based in Tanzania. I recently came across the African Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet) and was deeply inspired by its mission to create, aggregate, and disseminate African knowledges and to promote social work and development rooted in our values, languages, and lived realities.

As a social worker I strongly resonate with your emphasis on African epistemologies and values such as Ubuntu. I am especially drawn to your commitment to building emancipatory knowledge spaces for social work professionals, students, academics, and communities across the continent.
With this in mind, I would be honoured to join ASWDNet as a member and contribute to its efforts in advancing socially relevant and culturally grounded practice and scholarship in Africa.
Kindly receive the details required
Hilda Ngaja, Bachelor Degree in Social work
Referee, Dr Leah Omari, Lecturer, The Institute of Social Work
Thank you for your important work, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Read more “Deeply inspired by Mtandao/ASWDNet’s mission”

Policies | Guidelines | Checklists

  • AI Policy
  • San Code of Ethics
  • Journal Writing Guide
  • Ubuntu Principles in Fundraising & Charity
  • Comments Policy
  • Publisher Checker
  • Decolonisation Calculator
  • African Research Ethics & Malpractice Statement
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Email, Data and Social Media Policy
  • Aliko Dangote’s vision of Africa’s future: Implications for developmental social work curriculum, teaching, learning and practice
  • Comparing Ubuntu-grounded research ethics: the African Research Ethics and Malpractice Statement (AREMS) and the San Code of Research Ethics, and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
  • Decolonising Awards Speech by Linda Harms-Smith: Work on decoloniality means disrupting dynamics of ongoing coloniality
  • New online submission portal for the Journal of Development Administration (JDA)
  • How to Ace Your Job Interview: Tips Every Graduate Needs to Know
  • Mtandao website now used in all countries of the world (current stats), please like and comment when you use our resources Admin ASWDNet
  • Social Work and Social Development in Africa Admin ASWDNet
  • Ubuntu Digital Platform on Ushahidi: Presentation by Prof Janestic Twikirize and Eriya Turyamureeba at the International Social Work & Social Development Conference 2025, Uganda Teaching and Learning (Fundo)
  • Fundi – The African Dictionary and Encyclopaedia of Social Work and Development (Version 2.0) This Website
  • Mosquitoes, mistrust and the marginalisation of African researchers Admin ASWDNet
  • Wazee Day 2025: Educate, Empower, Prevent Dementia Wazee
  • Unidisciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches in social work and development Motivating
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI), technocolonial and decolonisation in African Social Work Education and Practice Admin ASWDNet

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COPYRIGHT © 2020 to 2030: Mtandao - Africa Social Work and Development Network (ASWDNet) | UBUNTU ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - We pay our respects to those who came before us, our Elders and forefathers and mothers, who are the sources and protectors (against colonisation) of the knowledge and wisdom that continue to shape lives, teaching, learning, research, and practice across generations. Because they were, we are. Asante. Siyabonga. Tatenda. Waaw. Àṣé.