Udo Jude Ilo's Book on CSO Sustainability in Africa

Udo Jude Ilo's book, set to be published in 2026, focuses on the sustainability and resilience of African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). It highlights the significant challenges these organizations face, including reliance on foreign donor funding, weak institutional frameworks, and the impact of authoritarian governance.

The book, comprising 234 pages, draws on extensive practitioner experience and research, aiming to provide a comprehensive discourse on civil society sustainability in Africa. It argues that the development crisis in Africa is fundamentally linked to poor leadership and weak governance systems.

Despite their historical contributions to democracy and human rights, many CSOs struggle to maintain operations once donor funding ceases. Ilo emphasizes that sustainability extends beyond financial resources to include strategic planning, governance, and leadership development.

The book is structured into five thematic sections that address these critical issues, reinforcing the urgent need for effective strategies to support CSOs across the continent.