Build Africa
Analysis
Build Africa is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty, overseas aid/famine relief and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02200793). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Build Africa reported income of £540k and spending of £512k, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £841k to £540k (-36%), an average of -10% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 94%. Over the whole period it spent 101% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Build Africa sits at the 88th percentile: it is larger than about 88% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Christian Community Action Ministries (£540k), Ahavat Hesed UK (£541k) and Al-Ihsaan Academy (£540k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 100%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £305k. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 1.3%. Grants to other organisations totalled £502k. Reserves of £95k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 43%
- Legacies 57%
In the charity's own words
We combine education and livelihoods in programmes that work with children and families to deliver projects that will make a lasting difference to their lives. Whether the project ensures a community's children receive an education or helps communities save money and access loans to develop small businesses, we are empowering people to use their own energies to escape poverty.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Community Action Ministries | Reading | £540k |
| Ahavat Hesed UK | London | £541k |
| Al-Ihsaan Academy | Ilford | £540k |
| Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women's Organisation Limited | London | £541k |