It seeks to empower African women in the fields of politics and the economy on the local, national, regional and international levels.

An international non-governmental organisation (INGO), ABANTU was founded in 1991 in London by African women,[1] including its future director Wanjiru Kihoro.

It works by formalising pre-existing local and domestic networks of women and turning them into a political force.

[4] ABANTU pursues to empower African women as decision makers on the local, national, regional and international levels.

[8] ABANTU's series of Gender and Poverty Hearings in Eastern and Southern Africa have contributed to transparency of government policies.

[6] ABANTU's research has highlighted the gendered nature of armed conflict, development policy and the effects of climate change.