CorpsAfrica was founded in 2011 by Liz Fanning, a former Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). While serving as a PCV in Morocco, Liz met young Moroccans eager to become PCVs and support their own communities, but she had to tell them it was only open to Americans. That exchange sparked the idea for an organization built on the simple belief that African youth are the catalyst for lasting growth in Africa. 

CorpsAfrica was created to provide college-educated Africans with a transformative experience that enables them to participate in the development process in their countries and discover their role in today’s world.

They train Volunteers in human-centered design, asset-based community development, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. For up to a year, they live with host families in remote villages, fully immersing themselves in community life.

By listening closely, building trust, and working alongside residents, Volunteers co-create small-scale, high-impact projects that reflect local priorities and promote resilience through community ownership.

Since launching its first program in Morocco in 2011, CorpsAfrica has expanded to 11 countries across the continent and plans to reach all 54 African nations within the next decade.

So far, they've placed more than 1,200 Volunteers across Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda. Together, they’ve completed over 800 community-led projects, building wells, schools, roads, and irrigation systems, establishing education programs, and supporting vegetable and livestock farms.

By investing in African youth and rural communities, CorpsAfrica tackles cycles of poverty while preparing the next generation of leaders to drive lasting change across the continent.

To learn more about CorpsAfrica, visit their website here.