The Centre for Development Communication (formerly MAWA Foundation) is a development communication think tank operating at the intersection of research, participatory governance, civic engagement, policy dialogue, and people-centered development practice. The Centre combines development interventions with intellectual leadership, communication-driven social transformation, and evidence-based advocacy to strengthen democratic participation, accountability, and inclusive development.
Founded in 2014 as a community media initiative, the Centre emerged from growing concerns about declining public accountability, weak citizen participation, and the widening disconnect between governance institutions and the people. Over the years, the Centre evolved into a strategic platform for development thought leadership, participatory communication, research, civic innovation, and public accountability discourse.
The Centre for Development Communication (CDC) works to bridge the gap between knowledge, policy, communication, and action. Our approach recognizes that sustainable development is not merely a technical or financial challenge, but fundamentally a communication and participation challenge. We therefore position communication not as publicity or information dissemination, but as a transformative process that empowers citizens, strengthens institutions, amplifies marginalized voices, and deepens democratic governance.
As a development communication think tank with intersections in development practice, CDC undertakes policy-oriented research, capacity strengthening, development communication initiatives, investigative accountability projects, and evidence-driven advocacy across governance, democracy, climate justice, health, education, human rights, and social development sectors. The Centre also facilitates critical conversations that shape public understanding of development issues while promoting indigenous and participatory communication models that place communities at the center of decision-making.
Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that citizens are not passive beneficiaries or stakeholders, but active co-creators of development. Through this people-centered lens, the Centre advances communication approaches that foster dialogue, inclusion, collective agency, democratic participation, and accountability between citizens and institutions.
Today, the Centre stands as an intellectual and civic platform dedicated to redefining development practice through communication, research, democratic participation, and community empowerment. More than an implementing institution, CDC is a movement for transformative development thinking and participatory social change.
Our Approach
The Centre for Development Communication adopts a multi-dimensional and participatory approach that combines capacity strengthening, development communication, policy-oriented research, media and accountability initiatives, civic engagement, and evidence-driven advocacy. Our work is grounded in the belief that sustainable development emerges when citizens are informed, empowered, and actively involved in shaping the decisions and policies that affect their lives.
Through participatory communication, we facilitate inclusive dialogue that amplifies community voices, strengthens democratic participation, and promotes collective agency. Our research and knowledge production seek to deepen understanding of development challenges while generating practical, people-centered solutions that influence policy and social transformation.
The Centre also advances investigative and accountability-driven initiatives that strengthen transparency, encourage responsible governance, and foster a culture of public accountability. By integrating communication, research, civic innovation, and development practice, we aim to reshape development discourse and contribute to more inclusive and responsive institutions.
At CDC, we see communication not merely as the transmission of information, but as a transformative process for empowerment, dialogue, participation, and social change. This philosophy continues to guide our commitment to building societies where development, justice, equity, accountability, and democratic inclusion thrive.
We invite institutions, communities, scholars, policymakers, development practitioners, and citizens to join us in advancing a people-centered vision of development rooted in participation, communication, and collective action.
Our Vision
To be Africa's leading centre for development communication
Our Mission
To harness the power of communication to drive sustainable development.
Our Goal
To promote sustainable development through communication.
Core Values
Professionalism, Integrity, Empowerment, Inclusiveness, Excellence, Innovation, Collaboration, Sustainability
Legal Status
The Centre for Development Communication (CDC) is the operating identity of Media Advocacy West Africa Foundation (MAWA Foundation), a legally registered non-profit organisation in Nigeria. Following a strategic organisational repositioning in 2025, the Foundation adopted the Centre for Development Communication (CDC) as its public-facing identity to reflect its specialised focus on development communication, research, policy engagement, and capacity development. The organisation continues to operate under the legal registration of Media Advocacy West Africa Foundation.
Our Partners & Collaborators
CDC has collaborated with national, regional, and international organizations to advance research, capacity development, media innovation, governance, and sustainable development. The organizations displayed represent partnerships, collaborations, training, research, and institutional engagements.
