African Diaspora Development Institute

What African Diaspora Development Institute does

African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that positions itself as the bridge between the African Union and the African Diaspora, a population the African Union recognizes as approximately 170 million people across its 55 member countries. Founded and led by H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao MD, former Permanent Representative to the African Union Mission in Washington DC (2016-2019), ADDI's mission is to mobilize people of African descent living outside Africa to participate in the continent's development, addressing what the organization characterizes as a 400-year disconnection caused by slavery and subsequent migration. ADDI does not operate proprietary technology infrastructure; its operations run through a website (ouraddi.org), consumer messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram), email, social media, and embassy-coordinated in-person events.

ADDI's portfolio is program and community-led rather than technology-product-led. Core offerings include the Burkina Faso Homecoming Program (a flagship partnership with the Government of Burkina Faso under President Ibrahim Traoré that brought 200+ diaspora members in April-May 2024 and 500+ in October-November 2025 for citizenship ceremonies and permanent residency pathways), the Million Dollar Campaign, Women Empowerment Program ($250-$1,000 grants), Youth Empowerment Program ($250-$1,000 grants), Legacy Project (round-trip tickets for diaspora college students), Inventions Fund, Community Partnership Program-Zimbabwe, Diaspora Services legal clinic, COVID-19 Africa Task Force, and Cyber Security Sponsorship in partnership with Eretmis Cybersecurity Academy ($1,000 per youth). Content assets include the Amazon bestseller "Africa 101: The Wake-Up Call" and educational resources (Know Your Africa, Know Your AU, video gallery).

ADDI monetizes through a tiered donor membership structure (Student $50, Individual $365, Non-Profit $1,000, Small Business $5,000, Corporate $10,000 annually), project-specific fundraising campaigns, an e-commerce Pan-African Store, and a coffee partnership with Mama Mata Coffee pledging $10 per bag (up to $100,000) toward the Million Dollar Campaign. The go-to-market combines content marketing (books, videos, educational content), event-driven engagement (homecoming trips, trade fairs, citizenship ceremonies, service days), and community building across digital platforms. Customers/members include diaspora individuals, African youth and women entrepreneurs, non-profits, small businesses, and corporate donors primarily based in North America with active programs in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

Name

African Diaspora Development Institute

Legal name

African Diaspora Development Institute

Website

https://ouraddi.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ADDI is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes the African Diaspora for Africa's development, operating as the designated bridge to the African Union's 170 million-person diaspora community through donor memberships, Burkina Faso homecoming trips, and programs supporting African youth and women entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diaspora Community Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Educational Services (611), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADALAC

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

SECONDARYBPADAHAI

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Refugee, Migration & Displacement Services

SECONDARYEDAAADAI

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Citizenship & Immigrant Integration Education

SECONDARYBPADAOAA

Donor Coordination & Aid Effectiveness

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Donor Coordination, Grantmaking & Development Finance Programs

Keywords

• Diaspora community engagement
• Nonprofit membership programs
• African development advocacy
• Donor membership tiers
• Cultural homecoming trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donation-Based Membership: ADDI operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization relying on donations and membership fees. The organization offers multiple membership tiers (Individual $365/year, Student $50/year, Non-Profit $1,000/year, Small Business $5,000/year, Corporate $10,000/year) that provide varying benefits including access to investment opportunities, webinars, community platforms, and ADDI store discounts.
2. E-commerce Store (ADDI Pan African Store): ADDI operates an e-commerce store selling Pan-African merchandise including clothing (shirts, blouses, dresses, dashikis) and products like Mama Mata Coffee fundraiser items where $10 per bag is donated to the Million Dollar Campaign.
3. Project-Specific Fundraising: ADDI conducts targeted fundraising campaigns for specific projects including the Million Dollar Campaign ($1 million goal), Women Empowerment ($250-$1,000 grants), Youth Empowerment, Legacy Project, Burkina Faso operations, COVID-19 Africa response, and Cyber Security Sponsorship ($1,000 per youth).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ADDI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that mobilizes the African Diaspora to participate in Africa's development. It offers tiered donor memberships ($50-$10,000/year), coordinates flagship homecoming trips to Burkina Faso with citizenship and permanent residency pathways, runs grant programs for African women and youth entrepreneurs ($250-$1,000), and sells Pan-African merchandise. Educational offerings include the Africa 101 book, and the organization provides a free legal clinic (Diaspora Services) and cybersecurity training sponsorships in partnership with Eretmis Cybersecurity Academy.

Product overview

The African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) operates as a membership-based nonprofit organization structured around donor tiers and programs rather than a traditional software product. The organization functions as a bridge between Africa and the African Diaspora, offering a Pan-African Store for merchandise sales, a tiered donor membership program, and multiple humanitarian and development programs including Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Legacy Project, Million Dollar Campaign, Inventions Fund, and the Burkina Faso Homecoming Program. Additional offerings include educational resources (Africa 101 book, Know Your Africa, Know Your AU), a diaspora services legal clinic, COVID-19 Africa Task Force, and Cyber Security Sponsorship partnership. The portfolio is program and community-focused rather than technology product-based.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Million Dollar Campaign: Fundraising campaign to mobilize $1 million to support ADDI projects including Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Legacy Project, African Youth Mentorship Program, and Wakanda Smart Cities initiative.
• PanAfrican Store
• Inventions Fund
• Women Empowerment Project
• Youth Empowerment Project
• Legacy Project
• Community Partnership Program
• Cyber Security Sponsorship
• COVID-19 Task Force

Products and services

• ADDI Donor Membership Program Tiered donor membership program (Free, Student $50/year, Individual $365/year, Non-Profit $1,000/year, Small Business $5,000/year, Corporate $10,000/year) providing donor certificates, ADDI community platform access (WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram), member-only webinars, ADDI forum access, investment opportunities in Africa, complimentary email blasts, ADDI store discounts, and keynote opportunities with H.E. Ambassador Chihombori-Quao.
• Burkina Faso Homecoming Program Cultural, citizenship, and investment homecoming trips to Burkina Faso facilitated through a government partnership with President Ibrahim Traore's administration, including citizenship ceremonies, permanent residency pathways, trade fairs, service days, and Pan-African conversations. Brought over 200 diaspora members in April-May 2024 and over 500 in October-November 2025.
• ADDI Pan-African Store E-commerce storefront selling Pan-African merchandise including shirts, blouses, dresses, dashikis, Sankofa shirts, Mama Arikana Bubu, and Wakanda shirts, plus Mama Mata Coffee fundraiser products where $10 per bag is donated to the Million Dollar Campaign.
• Women Empowerment Program Provides $250-$1,000 financial support grants to African women entrepreneurs to start or grow a business; funded through pay-as-you-go donations from ADDI donors.
• Youth Empowerment Program Provides $250-$1,000 in financial support to African youth entrepreneurs to start or grow a business, complemented by the Cyber Security Sponsorship; funded through pay-as-you-go donations.
• Cyber Security Sponsorship (with Eretmis Cybersecurity Academy) Sponsors African youth ($1,000 per youth) into a 3-month cybersecurity training program at Eretmis Cybersecurity Academy. Donors can sponsor 1-3+ youth at $1,000 each, with ADDI linking sponsors to the youth they support.
• Legacy Project Round-trip tickets and immersion program to Africa for African Diaspora college students, including dormitory stays and host family placements at African universities to reconnect students with the continent.
• Diaspora Services (Free Legal Clinic) Free legal clinic held every 2nd Tuesday providing assistance with immigration, family law, real estate, litigation, wills and estates, bankruptcy, consumer credit and debt collections, and social security matters for the African diaspora community.
• Africa 101 Book Book titled Africa 101: The Wake-Up Call by H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao, an Amazon bestseller covering African history, colonial exploitation, and a call to action for people of African descent. Available on Amazon and directly through the website.
• Million Dollar Campaign Coordinated $1,000,000 fundraising campaign supporting ADDI projects including Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Legacy Project, African Youth Mentorship Program, and the Wakanda Smart Cities initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 African Diaspora members brought to Burkina Faso for citizenship and permanent residency programs (200+ in 2024, 500+ in 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

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

• Eretmis Cybersecurity AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDI through its Youth Empowerment Program has partnered with Eretmis Cybersecurity Academy to train African youth to become a continental cybersecurity workforce. Eretmis Academy is a premier cybersecurity academy dedicated to closing the talent gap in the industry. ADDI invites donors to sponsor African youth at $1,000 per youth for a three-month program. ADDI links sponsors with the youth they support.
• Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDI collaborated with EAZ for COVID-19 Africa response, with Zambia chosen as receiving and distribution point for Southern Africa. EAZ coordinates efforts with diaspora through its New York-based Diaspora Chairperson Mr. Savior Mwambwa. Collaboration includes purchase and distribution of medical supplies including N-95 masks, ventilators, testing kits, and medications.
• Mama Mata CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMama Mata Coffee partnership for ADDI Fundraiser. For every bag of coffee purchased, Mama Mata donates $10 to ADDI towards the Million Dollar Campaign. Total pledge by Mama Mata Coffee is $100,000 toward selling 10,000 bags.
• Government of Burkina FasoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerADDI has a flagship partnership with the Government of Burkina Faso under President Ibrahim Traore to bring African Diaspora home. ADDI facilitated bringing over 200 diaspora members in April-May 2024 and over 500 in October-November 2025 for citizenship ceremonies, permanent residency programs, trade fairs, and service days. An Inter-Ministerial committee appointed by President Traore works with ADDI on citizenship implementation. The Burkina Faso Embassy in DC handles E-visa processing for participants.
• African UnionflagshipOthersADDI serves as the bridge between the African Union and the African Diaspora. H.E. Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao served as Permanent Representative to the African Union Mission in Washington DC (2016-2019). ADDI's mandate aligns with Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA implementation. The African Union recognizes the African Diaspora (170 million people) as the 6th region.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• African Leadership University: Higher education institution training African youth leaders across the continent. Comparable in diaspora-to-Africa educational programming, youth empowerment focus, and African development mission.
• Africa No Filter: Grantmaking organization funding African storytellers and reshaping narratives about Africa. Comparable in pan-African community-building, donor-funded grantmaking, and diaspora engagement framing.
• TransAfrica (or Africa Faith and Justice Network): Faith-based advocacy organizations addressing African and diaspora issues. Comparable in advocacy-driven programming and Africa-diaspora engagement.

Broad incumbents

• National Council of Negro Women: US-based civil rights and African American women's advancement organization with a long history of diaspora engagement and philanthropy. Comparable in advocacy, member-donor model, and Pan-African programming.
• African Capacity Building Foundation: African Union-established foundation building human and institutional capacity across Africa. Comparable as an AU-aligned development institution serving continental capacity-building objectives.
• United Nations Development Programme Africa: UN agency coordinating development programs across Africa. Comparable to ADDI's continental development mandate and intergovernmental cooperation; far larger scale, established donor base.

Direct peers

• African Women's Development Fund: Pan-African grantmaking foundation supporting women's rights organizations across Africa. Comparable to ADDI's Women Empowerment Program grantmaking model and pan-African development orientation.
• African Diaspora Investment Fund: Trade and investment organization connecting the African diaspora to investment opportunities in Africa. Comparable to ADDI's trade fair, investment opportunity access, and corporate membership tiers.
• African Diaspora Network: Silicon Valley-based nonprofit mobilizing African diaspora professionals for Africa's development. Directly comparable in mission, diaspora engagement model, and bridge-building positioning to ADDI.

Others

• Carnegie Africa (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace): International affairs think tank with dedicated Africa programs analyzing governance, development, and diaspora issues. Comparable as adjacent thought-leadership and policy engagement on African development.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ADDIMovement
• Facebookfacebook.com/ADDIMovement
• Instagraminstagram.com/ADDIMovement
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/african-diaspora-development-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about African Diaspora Development Institute