Brief about OD practices in Africa:

Organization Development (OD) as an approach and a behavioural science is emerging in Africa. There is evidence confirming OD practice in Africa is contributing to institutional resilience, renewal, transformation and communities’ sustainability mindset development. Therefore, the field of Organization Development (OD) need to position itself for more impact and positive influence at Self (Individual), Family, Organization-wide, Societal, National and Continental levels.

OD as an approach and a behavioural science is distinct from Change Management, Human Resource Management and other change philosophies. It is noted that, some development partners and African OD pioneers in the early 1990s till now, initiated and introduced OD practices. Just to mention a few of OD institutions in the continent are OD Institute, Ghana with UCC partnership, World Vision, SNV Ghana, IBIS West Africa, WACSI, Inkoom and Associates, African Institute of Organization Development, IODA, CCOD, COLD, etc. are working on independent framework towards the creation of transformational collaborative networks of OD practitioners in Africa.

The “Harmonization of OD Research & Practice in Africa” agenda seeks to bring together OD universities, institutes, consulting firms and practitioners across the continent to work under an umbrella framework that advances the field into the future. The framework will take into consideration the multi-disciplinary nature of the OD field, create a platform for information exchange, and ensure alignment with other international OD organizations.

The field of OD was founded on the values of collaboration, cooperation and constellation of strengths. In order to move the OD profession into the future and position the field for impact on the African continent, it is time for those practicing real OD to come together and co-create strategies to help the continent solve its own problems. The harmonization agenda is being proposed against an understanding of the differences existing between the 54 countries on the continent. As we work on the African model of cooperation, we continue to leverage on our partnerships with the international community.