Building a global non-profit with multi-million dollar projects across 28 countries

Stanley Ihedigbo

A book providing insight to leaders in the non-profit sector on how to scale and create impact, secure multi-million dollar funding, and transform and impact lives in the Global South has been released.

Titled The Paradigm Initiative Story: A Work in Progress, it offers a blueprint on fundraising and organisational development, especially in resource-constrained environments and Paradigm Initiative’s (PIN’s) learning journey while focusing on the future.

Through the book, readers can also learn how consistent support from donors and partners goes a long way in building strong institutions.

The book, which comes at a time when global funding in the non-profit sector is shrinking, highlights Paradigm Initiative’s journey from a tiny cybercafé in Lagos, Nigeria, to a leading pan-African digital rights and inclusion organisation with presence in six countries and implementing multi-million dollar projects across 28 countries, providing readers with a clear path on how to grow.

Paradigm Initiative, which has been in existence for 18 years now, is an organisation that advocates for digital rights and inclusion and connects underserved young Africans with digital opportunities and ensures the protection of their online rights.

The organisation has impacted the lives of more than 150,000 youth through our digital inclusion and digital rights programmes.

Our programmes include Life Skills, ICT Skills. Financial Readiness and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) training programme, a digital readiness workshop for youth, and the LIFE at school club programme.

PIN has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for reporting digital rights violations.

PIN’s work involves driving systemic change through capacity building, research, advocacy, creative communications, strategic litigation, policy and legislative change, and convening the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF).

The story told by the organisation’s Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, demonstrates what it takes to transform a dream conceptualised in Ajegunle, a teeming informal settlement in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria, to an impactful, formidable organisation with footprints across the continent.

“The inspiration to document the Paradigm Initiative Story was born out of a deep desire to share with others how our organisation has been able to grow, the lessons we learnt, and the challenges and opportunities that exist. It is more about sharing our experience while creating a roadmap in uncharted waters,” Gbenga stated.

In his foreword to the book, Vice President, Chief Internet Evangelist, Google, Vint Cerf, says the book has greatly enhanced his esteem for Gbenga and his work.

Cerf is also the Chair of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel, where Gbenga is also a member. They were appointed to serve on the Panel in August 2022 by UN Secretary General, António Guterres, alongside eight other distinguished leaders from across the globe.

“The book is a story of determination, commitment, successes and failures. It is told in a personal way that makes the story all the more compelling. It is a pragmatic story filled with concrete observations about the trials that all nonprofit organisations face. In the case of the Paradigm Initiative Story, the challenges are all the more complex given inflationary considerations that make financing all the more difficult,” says Cerf, who is also known as one of the ‘Fathers of the Internet.’

The book showcases the evolution of Paradigm Initiative from early days when access to technology was a privilege few individuals could afford, to the organisation’s key position in driving digital access and championing digital rights. Through the book, readers can witness the power of vision, persistence and the role of technology in creating lasting social change.

From the book, it is clear that digital inclusion entails more than the provision of access to devices or the internet. It includes equipping people with skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world and utilise it for social and economic empowerment.

A key aspect that stands out is the role PIN continues to play in advocating for digital rights, creating policies and empowering the youth through digital literacy while bridging the digital divide.

The publication has been released against the backdrop of a widening digital divide, where millions of individuals are yet to be connected, underscoring the need for continuous effort in bridging the digital gap while advocating for friendly digital laws and policies that deepen and support inclusion efforts.

The book has been endorsed by Director of StartUpCourt, Emmanuel Oluwatosin; Project Management Consultant, ‘Tope Soremi; Founder and Chief Architect of Mobile Software Solutions, Chris Uwaje; Founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), Harry ‘Tomi Davies (TD); former Director of Trade and Investment, British High Commission, Peter Stephenson; Special Advisor on Special Initiatives & SDGs/Agenda 2030, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), , Dr. Aida Opoku-Mensah (PhD), and Chair, Arthur C. Clarke Foundation; CEO, CompassRose International, Walda Roseman.

The eBook and hardback versions are available on the publisher’s website, while the hardback version can be obtained from Amazon. The paperback version will be available from July 2026.