Support projects in Africa
Founded in 2003, the AFRANT (AFRika + ANTwerpen) association is a development initiative of the Cathedral of Antwerp. Through AFRANT, the Cathedral is linked to its sister parishes in two West African regions, Bénin and Burkina Faso, realising small-scale projects on the ground in the fields of education, basic health, water supply and agriculture. The approach relies on friendship, close contact, punctual follow-up and annual field visits.
AFRANT was born around 1995 from the friendship between a former Cathedral priest and two young colleagues in West Africa, from the region of Nouna in Burkina Faso and the region of Tanguieta-Materi-Cobly in Benin. Building schools began in 2000, followed by health centres and agricultural projects. Smaller-scale projects such as the construction of wells were also undertaken. In 2003, the non-profit organisation AFRANT was founded, which in 2020 was incorporated into the larger non-profit organisation The Cathedral.
AFRANT-event
Late October 2026, AFRANT will hold a brief information session for the cathedral communities, immediately after Mass, on the projects being carried out in Africa. Afterwards, everyone is invited to a social gathering at De Plek bistro, featuring African music.
- Saturday, 17 October at 6.30 pm (English)
- Sunday, 18 October at 11 am (Dutch)
Save the date!
On Sunday, 21 February 2027, AFRANT is organising a fund-raising event in the parish hall (Heilige Geeststraat 21, Antwerp), featuring the sale of pizza and wine. Further details to follow!
Newsletter
AFRANT sends out a newsletter (in Dutch) four times a year. Please subscribe via the link on the Dutch page.
AFRANT in Burkina Faso
As a result of the insecurity of recent years, tens of thousands of people in the Nouna region and the town of the same name in Burkina Faso remain displaced. Consequently, the town of Nouna has five times its usual population. The schools are also bursting at the seams, whilst the health centre is kept running 24 hours a day. AFRANT therefore focuses primarily on education and healthcare in that region.
At present, the situation in Burkina Faso appears to be stabilising. Many internally displaced people have returned to their villages, where reconstruction can now begin. Furthermore, the main road to Nouna can once again be used safely. This means that AFRANT will be able to travel to Burkina Faso again in the near future to monitor the projects on the spot.
