On the anniversary of the arrival of the first Jesuits in Africa, we look at the impact the Society is having on the world’s second-largest continent, including several projects supported by Jesuit Missions.
The Jesuits have had a presence in Africa for almost 500 years, with the first missionaries from Portugal landing in present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1548.
Early expansion was followed by expulsion, restoration and consolidation – there are now approximately 1,800 Jesuits active in 34 countries in Africa, focusing on areas such as education, social justice and refugees.
Jesuit Missions works with local Jesuit partners on the ground to help deliver vital services in these areas. It currently supports projects in South Sudan, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
South Sudan: Sowing Seeds and Sudan Crisis Response
The ‘Sowing Seeds’ initiative provides training and education in areas such as agriculture, building and engineering. Communities learn skills that will help provide for their families, while education programmes give the country’s youth the hope of a brighter future.
And in Renk, near the border with Sudan, we are working with Jesuit Refugee Service International to provide mental health and rehabilitation support to those who have fled conflict, as well as basic assistive care to those with disabilities.
- South Sudanese mother of six uses skills learnt at Jesuit farming school to support family
- Father in South Sudan heads back to school at 38 with dreams of becoming a doctor
- Abandoned but not forgotten – the invisible crisis in South Sudan
Madagascar: The Centre Arrupe Madgascar
The Centre Arrupe Madagascar – an environmental awareness organisation – offers educational and practical training sessions to the country’s young people, and it has actively participated in global conferences on climate and the environment.
The emphasis of a lot of its work and teachings stem from those outlined by the Jesuits and the wider Church, particularly Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’.
- They’re growing places! The environmental centre producing thousands of plants a year to boost reforestation in Madagascar
- How ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’ is helping Madagascan farmers deal with extreme weather
- ‘We don’t want to disappear’: Jesuit Missions’ partner repeats calls for climate action at COP30 press conference
Southern Africa: Jesuit Opportunities in Education and Value Based Education
The Jesuit Opportunities in Education (JOESA) programme provides support to children who are at risk of dropping out of school. This covers emotional support sessions, in addition to practical materials such as stationery and hygiene products.
The Value Based Education initiative is all about creating a climate of fairness, safety and progress in Jesuit schools in Southern Africa, promoting character development and ethical behaviour to equip them for the future.
- No more 4.30am treks to school – Zambian student pedalling to success after being gifted bike
- Teachers in Zambia offering emotional support to help keep kids in school
- Zimbabwean accountant hopes to ‘give back’ to the Jesuits who helped her realise her university dreams
More news
International Women’s Day 2026: spotlight on female success stories from our projects
Jesuit leadership programme offers hope to young people from war-torn Myanmar
Vacancy: Campaigns and Outreach Officer
