Initiated in 2008, Local Economic Development Network Of Africa (LEDNA) is a pan-African effort to institutionalise local economic development through national and local policies and programmes. It promotes sharing of knowledge and also aims to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders by providing them with local economic development knowledge and tools.

LEDNA has sought to achieve its objectives through partnerships with local government associations in countries such as Mali, Togo, Botswana and Zambia. It has also developed a one-stop online knowledge hub (www.ledna.org) that offers free access to nearly 3,000 peer-checked economic development resources.

A social networking platform with a growing membership in enabling people around the continent to share knowledge and experience. One major success story is the successful facilitation of a five-year national local economic development programme in mali that spans 16 cities. In addition, programmes are facilitated on an ongoing basis in Togo, Botswana and Zambia.

LEDNA Coordinator Mr. Francois Yatta: francois.yatta@ledna.org