Batonga Foundation

The Batonga Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by the Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it works to equip the hardest-to-reach girls and young women in Africa with the knowledge and skills to become agents of change in their own lives and communities. The foundation takes a grassroots approach, partnering with communities to shift sociocultural norms toward a more inclusive future. Batonga supports over 6,000 adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 and more than 7,000 young women aged 18 to 35. Its programs provide mentors and safe spaces for girls to learn critical life skills, build self-confidence, understand their rights, and plan their economic futures. For young women, Batonga accompanies them as they imagine, build, and implement income-generating plans and professional development strategies to achieve economic resilience and independence. The foundation also advocates for gender equality across the continent, engaging over 400 young women leaders and advocates in 22 francophone African countries. Batonga operates offices in Benin and Senegal. It has partnered with organizations such as UNICEF, the Mastercard Foundation, TOMS, and the Peace Corps. In December 2018, the foundation obtained a headquarters agreement with Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its work spans education scholarships, school supplies, construction of secondary schools, and advocacy to raise awareness of the value of girls. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Batonga implemented prevention and mitigation plans, including awareness campaigns and the production of hand sanitizer. The foundation's mission is to improve the living conditions of girls and women and equip them with the skills to be vectors of change in their communities. It strives to go "beyond the paved road" to reach "invisible" girls who are typically excluded from traditional education and development initiatives.

The Batonga Foundation was founded in 2006 by Angélique Kidjo, a Beninese singer and five-time Grammy Award winner. The organization was established in Washington, D.C., with the purpose of transforming the most vulnerable adolescent girls in Africa into powerful women. Kidjo's vision celebrates Africa as a land of hope and talent, viewing its youth, particularly young women, as an investment for the future. From its inception, Batonga focused on helping girls access not only primary but also secondary education, aiming to contribute to the development of African countries. The foundation supports vulnerable girls and those whose parents cannot afford their education through the provision of school supplies and scholarships. It also constructs secondary schools and advocates for the recognition of girls' value. Over the years, Batonga has developed partnerships with UNICEF, the Mastercard Foundation, TOMS, and the Peace Corps. In October 2019, in Benin, the foundation partnered with TOMS and UNICEF to distribute new pairs of shoes to more than 67,000 girls. It also collaborated with UNICEF to distribute 200 pairs of shoes at the Collège d'Enseignement Général de Copargo in Benin to encourage girls to continue their studies. In December 2018, the foundation obtained a headquarters agreement from Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Batonga implemented a prevention and mitigation plan with its teams to ensure the well-being and safety of certain communities, including awareness campaigns and the production of hand sanitizer. Today, Batonga operates offices in Benin and Senegal and supports over 6,000 adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 and more than 7,000 young women aged 18 to 35. Its advocacy initiatives engage over 400 young women gender equality leaders and advocates in 22 francophone African countries. The foundation continues to take a grassroots approach to social change, working with communities including women and men, and girls and boys alike to shift sociocultural perspectives towards a more inclusive future.

• 2019

  Partnered with TOMS and UNICEF to distribute new shoes to over 67,000 girls in Benin.

• 2018

  Obtained a headquarters agreement from Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• 2006

  Batonga Foundation founded by Angélique Kidjo in Washington, D.C.

Grassroots non-profit focused on the hardest-to-reach girls and young women in francophone Africa, combining education, life skills, and economic empowerment with continental advocacy.

1. 1Batonga Foundation Official Websitebatongafoundation.org
2. 2Our Story — Batonga Foundationbatongafoundation.org
3. 3Fondation Batonga — Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org
4. 4Batonga Foundation — Wikidatawikidata.org