About · History
Twenty-five years of walking together.
How forty years of African national movements became a continental network.
A movement rooted in African history
Over the past forty years, 37 African countries have launched National Initiatives to mobilise churches and ministries for national and global evangelisation. Such initiatives are deeply rooted in the history of the continent.
The starting point was the 1960s, when many African nations gained independence. That surge toward liberation gave birth to a new sense of African destiny, and political change inspired a corresponding change in the Church, with a major move toward indigenous leadership. Saturation-evangelism movements followed: Evangelism in Depth in Zaire and New Life For All on the central plateau of Nigeria.
What began as a trickle in the 1970s became a flood by the 1990s, as the AD 2000 & Beyond Movement, Interdev and DAWN Ministries found Africa fertile soil. In March 2001, 320 delegates from 36 African nations met in Jerusalem. Out of the winding-down of AD 2000 & Beyond, MANI was born — a continuing African movement that declared the African Church “of age”.
Timeline
From national movements to a continental network
1960s
Independence and indigenous leadership
Missionary-held leadership positions pass to nationals. Evangelism in Depth (Zaire) and New Life For All (Nigeria) launch.
1970s–80s
National movements take root
The Ghana Evangelism Committee records 8,785 new churches in ten years and surveys 23,000 towns — 14,711 had no church. Target 2000 in Zimbabwe commits 60 denominations to plant 10,000 churches. FinTask is launched in Nigeria.
1997
GCOWE ’97, Pretoria
1,200 leaders from 46 nations consult on African National Initiatives; Finish the Task Kenya and others follow. The AEA Evangelism and Missions Commission adopts African National Initiatives as its basic strategy.
2001
Jerusalem: MANI is born
The Africa Millennial Consultation convenes after “Celebrate Messiah 2000” is cancelled. 320 delegates from 36 nations unanimously adopt the Jerusalem Declaration.
320 delegates36 nations
2003
Consultation on African indigenous missions
Ibadan, Nigeria. Issues, models and strategies are documented in a compendium.
2006
MANI 2006, Nairobi
520 leaders from 49 nations pray, share best practices and assess the unfinished task. The Country Assessment Process is launched.
520 leaders49 nations
2008
MANI SA08
A South African consultation produces the MANI Handbook and the “Moment in History” prayer report.
2011
MANI 2011, Abuja
614 participants from 60 countries. Strategic networks are born — denominational leaders, emerging leaders, African women in ministry and prayer. The “Go North” call is heard.
614 participants60 countries
2016
MANI 2016, Addis Ababa
The Horn of Africa hosts the continental consultation, preceded by the African Heads of Churches Summit in Ghana.
2017–19
Discipleship congresses and regional consultations
African Congresses on Discipleship in Nairobi (2017) and Redemption Camp, Nigeria (2019); tri-region and diaspora BRIDGE consultations.
2021
A pause — and a virtual consultation
The Abidjan consultation is postponed because of Covid-19. The movement meets online and by region.
2026
MANI 2026, Abidjan
The first continental consultation in Francophone Africa, marking 25 years since Jerusalem. The Abidjan Declaration sets six strategic priorities; leadership passes from Rev. Dr. Reuben Ezemadu to Rev. Peter Oyugi.
5th continental consultationExplore MANI 2026