AHC Leadership · The Circles

Africa Horticultural Circle

Continental · Regional · Country

AHC Green Leadership Network

The Africa Horticultural Circle (AHC) is building a pan-African network of leaders who are committed to advancing green literacy, horticulture, environmental stewardship, wellness, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods across Africa.

At the center of this structure are the Green Stewards, Green Beacons, and Green Hosts, each with a distinct role in carrying AHC’s work forward.

African continent covered in lush green forests and vegetation

Green Stewards are the leaders responsible for championing and driving AHC’s seven Green Literacy pillars across Africa.

Each Green Steward takes responsibility for a specific pillar, providing the leadership, direction, knowledge, relationships, and initiatives needed to develop that area of AHC’s work across the continent.

A Green Steward therefore provides continental leadership for their chosen pillar, working to grow its visibility, partnerships, programmes, activities, and impact across Africa.

They serve as the driving force behind their pillar, ensuring that the work is developed at a continental level while creating opportunities for leaders and communities across different regions and countries to participate.

The seven pillars are:

01Greening through Tree Canopies, Pocket Forests, Space Adoption and Community Growing
02Growing Clubs for Academic Institutions
03Horticultural Therapy for Mental Health and Healing
04Green Literacy through Demonstrations, Tours and Masterclasses
05Advocacy and Campaigns for Policy Preservation and Responsible Stewardship
06Recognition of Innovation and Leadership in Horticulture and Supporting Industries
07Stimulating Demand through Public Sensitisation, Trade and Growing for Sale

Green Beacons are regional leaders who work with the Green Stewards to take AHC’s pillars into specific regions of Africa.

A Green Beacon helps drive that pillar within their region, adapting its activities and opportunities to the needs, realities, and possibilities of their regional context.

A Green Beacon works with the pillar being led by a Green Steward and helps build the network required to advance that pillar within their region.

Their role includes connecting with local organisations, practitioners, communities, institutions, businesses, and green initiatives; supporting programmes and activities; identifying opportunities; and encouraging participation within the region.

Green Beacons therefore serve as the regional bridge between the continental leadership of a Green Steward and country-level action through Green Hosts.

AHC’s Green Beacons operate across five major African regions:

01East Africa
02West Africa
03Southern Africa
04North Africa
05Central Africa

Green Hosts are country-level representatives who work with Green Beacons to bring AHC’s pillars into their individual countries.

They form the country-level network within each region, supporting the activities, programmes, campaigns, initiatives, and opportunities connected to the pillar being advanced by their Green Beacon.

Green Hosts help connect AHC’s work to local communities, organisations, institutions, practitioners, young people, businesses, and green initiatives within their country.

Their work may include supporting events and activities, mobilising participants, identifying local opportunities, promoting Green Literacy, supporting community initiatives, and helping translate regional plans into practical action within their country.