Universal Peace Federation-Africa

What Universal Peace Federation-Africa does

Universal Peace Federation Africa (UPF Africa) is the continental chapter of the Universal Peace Federation, a global non-governmental organization founded on September 12, 2005, in New York by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. UPF Africa operates as an interreligious and intergovernmental peacebuilding network that supports the work of the United Nations—particularly on interfaith dialogue, peace education, and the strengthening of marriage and family—and holds General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council. The chapter maintains active national chapters in 49 African countries, mobilizes over 10,000 appointed Ambassadors for Peace, and works with more than 1,000 public figures, including former heads of state, religious leaders, and parliamentarians.

The organization's core offerings are organized around a network of thematic associations rather than discrete products. Eight specialized international associations segment engagement by constituency: the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP), International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP), International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP), International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED), and International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP). Operational programs include the Peace and Character Education (PCE) curriculum delivered in public schools, the Peace Road Initiative, the 100 Days of Harmony and Hope campaign, school outreach on peace and conflict resolution, and youth skills-acquisition training. Underlying technology is non-proprietary: UPF Africa relies on a static website, a beehiiv newsletter platform, Zoom for virtual events, and social media channels, with no in-house software platform or AI/ML systems.

UPF Africa is a non-profit funded by donations and voluntary contributions, with a donation portal hosted via the Kevin Winter Foundation (https://kwf.givingfuel.com/upf-africa). It does not sell products or services, and participation in programs and Ambassador for Peace appointments is free. The organization employs a small central team (approximately 8 staff) and depends on its Ambassador network, national chapter coordinators, and institutional partners—including the African Union, ECOWAS, the UN ECOSOC, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (Nigeria), and Rotary Club—to execute programs. Strategic positioning relies on UN ECOSOC consultative status, the 2024 MOU with the African Union, and high-profile endorsements from former heads of state and the 8th UN Secretary-General.

Name

Universal Peace Federation-Africa

Legal name

Universal Peace Federation Africa

Website

https://upfafrica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

NGO Peacebuilding and Interfaith Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Educational Support Services (611710), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA), Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG), Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations (BPAGAJAJ)

Keywords

• Interfaith peacebuilding
• Peace education
• NGO peace advocacy
• Interreligious dialogue
• Character education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: UPF Africa operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily through donations from supporters, Ambassadors for Peace, and partners. The website features a donation portal (https://kwf.givingfuel.com/upf-africa) for contributing to peace projects in Africa.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Universal Peace Federation-Africa is a non-profit, non-governmental peacebuilding organization that delivers interfaith dialogue, peace education, and family-strengthening programs across 49 African countries. Its core service is the Ambassadors for Peace network (10,000+ individuals) supported by eight specialized associations engaging parliamentarians, religious leaders, women, media, academics, and cultural figures, complemented by school-based Peace and Character Education and the 100 Days of Harmony and Hope campaign.

Product overview

Universal Peace Federation Africa operates as a network of peace-building programs and associations rather than a traditional product company. The core offering consists of the Ambassadors for Peace network, supported by eight specialized associations (IAPP, IAPD, IAED, ISCP, IAFLP, IMAP, IAAP, IAACP) that engage parliamentarians, religious leaders, women, media professionals, academics, and cultural figures in peacebuilding. Additional programs include Peace and Character Education in schools, the 100 Days of Harmony and Hope Campaign, Peace Road Initiative, and youth skills training. The organization functions as a service-based NGO that facilitates peace activities rather than offering a software or technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ambassadors for Peace Program A global network of individuals appointed to promote peace, interfaith dialogue, and community harmony across Africa. Members include former heads of state, religious leaders, parliamentarians, and civil society actors who serve as grassroots distribution points for UPF's peacebuilding mission.
• International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) An association engaging legislators and heads of state in examining constitutional reform, transitional justice, and peacebuilding through parliamentary cooperation, with offices established in national assemblies such as Cameroon's, where the IAPP Cameroon headquarters was officially received within the National Assembly compound in Yaoundé on March 13, 2026.
• Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) An association promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation among religious leaders for peace and development. IAPD Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union on April 18, 2024, marking a major institutional endorsement of UPF's interfaith peacebuilding work.
• International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED) An association engaging business and economic experts in dialogue on responsible entrepreneurship, fair practices, and social responsibility to advance mutual prosperity across Africa.
• International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) A council comprising current and former heads of state working on global peace initiatives and constitutional reform discussions. H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, Former President of Nigeria, serves as Chairman of ISCP Africa.
• International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP) An association engaging first ladies and women leaders in peacebuilding and social development initiatives across Africa.
• International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) An association engaging media professionals in peace journalism and communications for peacebuilding across Africa.
• International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 Ambassadors for Peace appointed across Africa
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• African Union (AU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024IAPD Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union on April 18, 2024. This historic partnership was celebrated in a special webinar and represents a major institutional endorsement of UPF's interfaith peacebuilding work. The MOU was facilitated through CIDO (Citizens and Diaspora Directorate) of the African Union.
• UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF has been granted NGO in General Consultative Status with ECOSOC. This status positions UPF to facilitate dialogue among governments, civil society, faith-based communities, and the private sector at the UN level.
• Kevin Winter Foundation (KWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting UPF Africa's peace initiatives and programs. Listed among the organization's key partners in the newsletter.
• Sunhak Peace Prize FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting peace initiatives. Listed among UPF Africa's key partners in the newsletter.
• Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria has a Partnership for Character Education in Schools with the Federal Ministry of Education. This partnership supports the national implementation of Peace and Character Education (PCE) program in Nigerian schools.
• Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) - NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria collaborates with ICPC, a Federal Government Institution, for anti-corruption and good governance initiatives supporting peace and integrity.
• College of Diplomacy and International Relations (CDIR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria partners with CDIR for diplomatic training and international relations capacity building.
• International Society of Diplomats (ISD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria collaborates with ISD for diplomatic engagement and professional development.
• Brotherhood of Cross and StarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria has a collaboration agreement with the Brotherhood of Cross and Star, an interfaith organization united by shared vision of peace. Both groups explore opportunities for cooperation including African spirituality, peace principles, and forgiveness.
• Christian-Muslim Inter-Religious Peace Foundation (CHANMUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria partners with CHANMUS for interfaith harmony and collaborative peacebuilding. Together they organized a skilled acquisition training program for 1,450 youth, orphans, and widows in Niger State, supported by the Niger State Government.
• ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECOWAS, represented by H.E. Amadou Diongue as Resident Representative in Benin, collaborates with UPF Africa. ECOWAS Hall in Lomé, Togo served as venue for the '100 Days of Harmony and Hope' campaign launch.
• International Youth Fellowship (IYF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIYF partners with UPF Angola for the Peace and Responsible Citizenship Program. Pastor Judye Happy Suh of IYF Angola participated in the weekly radio program on Radio Tocoista discussing 'Women of Knowledge.'
• Radio Tocoista (Angola)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPF Angola hosts a weekly radio program on Radio Tocoista, serving as a platform for promoting peace work and disseminating UPF teachings to national and international audiences.
• Niger State GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Niger State Government supports UPF/CHANMUS skill acquisition training programs for youth, orphans, and widows. Governor Umar Muhammad Bago (represented) participated in the graduation ceremony.
• Rotary ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPF Nigeria collaborated with Rotary Club in Rivers State to organize a Peace Day celebration on September 21, 2024, including a conference on building a culture of peace and installation of a peace billboard.
• CENSAD (Community of Sahel-Saharan States)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among UPF Africa's key partners in the newsletter, supporting regional peace and development initiatives.
• The Earth and I (E and I)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among UPF Africa's key partners in the newsletter, supporting environmental and peace education initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peace Direct: INGO focused on funding and supporting local peacebuilders in conflict-affected countries including multiple African nations, with comparable convening, training, and grassroots-network approaches to UPF Africa.
• Search for Common Ground: One of the largest dedicated peacebuilding NGOs operating across Africa, running conflict-resolution and interfaith programs in dozens of African countries—closely aligned in mission, geography, and end-user populations.
• Religions for Peace: Global interfaith coalition with multi-religious council structures and UN ECOSOC status, directly comparable to UPF Africa in convening religious leaders for peace, with a similarly distributed national-chapter model and an Africa regional presence.
• All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC): Pan-African ecumenical body of Christian churches engaged in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and governance across the continent—directly comparable to UPF Africa in faith-based peace infrastructure, member-network model, and African continental scope.
• United Religions Initiative (URI): Global grassroots interfaith network with Cooperation Circles across Africa, directly comparable in combining interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and a distributed chapter-based model with UN-level engagement.

Broad incumbents

• International Peace Institute (IPI): UN-focused think tank and convening body working on peace and security with Africa programming; comparable in UN ECOSOC-adjacent positioning and convening of senior political figures, though more policy- than movement-driven.
• International Crisis Group: Well-established global conflict-prevention organization with deep Africa coverage and a more analytical, policy-oriented approach; overlaps with UPF Africa in geography and peace mandate but is a much larger, more institutionalized operator.
• World Council of Churches (WCC): Global ecumenical body with a longstanding Africa peace program (e.g., WCC-EHAIA, Decade to Overcome Violence) and direct convening of religious leaders for peace, overlapping significantly with UPF Africa's interfaith mandate at greater institutional scale.

Others

• African Union Peace and Security Council: Continental governance body whose peace and security agenda UPF Africa supports through its AU MOU; not a peer in the competitive sense but the institutional counterpart whose work the organization enables and amplifies.

Emerging players

• KAICIID Dialogue Centre: Intergovernmental organization promoting interreligious dialogue globally with Africa programs; comparable in interfaith convening and UN-style positioning but with a smaller footprint and more programmatic, less membership-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/upf_africa
• TikToktiktok.com/@upf_africa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upfafrica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Universal Peace Federation-Africa