Student ministry in Francophone Africa has seen tremendous growth since its first fellowship groups were started back in 1965. There are now an estimated 24,000 students involved in 19 of its 23 countries, with numbers increasing each year. IFES is currently supporting the start of 125 new groups across the region. The region faces big challenges as well. Persecution, political instability, and corruption threaten the students’ road to academic success.

Finances are another major challenge for most movements in the region. In recent years, the IFES Indigenous Support Development program has been helping national movements in Francophone Africa develop sustainable funding through local partnerships. The extra finances raised have funded student ministry activities and new members of staff. The movement in Burundi has even been able to finance the construction of a headquarters to support student ministry.

With both vast numbers of students and limited access to resources across the region, developing healthy partnerships locally is crucial to the growth and sustainability of the national movements.