Atlas Network is proud to present the 2026 Africa Liberty Award to Centre for Development and Enterprises (CDE) Great Lakes for their outstanding work through Freedom Week, an initiative that has advanced economic freedom, free markets, and structural reform in Burundi. The award was accepted by Monia Wakana of CDE Great Lakes at Africa Liberty Forum 2026 in Accra, Ghana.

The Africa Liberty Award is part of the Templeton Freedom Award Prize Program, supported by Templeton Religion Trust and designed to recognize think tanks and civil society organizations that make significant contributions to the understanding and advancement of liberty around the globe. Regional Liberty Award winners are selected based on demonstrated impact, innovative approaches, and meaningful contributions to expanding opportunity and freedom in their communities.

CDE Great Lakes was recognized for Freedom Week, an innovative platform that brings together policymakers, entrepreneurs, journalists, students, and civil society leaders to advance economic freedom through research, public engagement, leadership development, and policy advocacy. Through this work, the organization has helped advance reforms in monetary policy, digital commerce, and regional trade integration while promoting women’s economic rights, improving media transparency, strengthening administrative efficiency, and fostering greater market openness. Its integrated model has also strengthened independent civil society in Burundi and inspired similar initiatives across the region.

About Centre for Development and Enterprises Great Lakes

CDE Great Lakes is an organization based in Burundi, working to advance economic freedom and opportunity by producing research, developing future leaders, convening stakeholders, and advocating for market-oriented public policy reforms. Through Freedom Week, CDE Great Lakes has grown Burundi’s largest independent platform for promoting economic freedom from a one-day gathering of 20 participants into a six-day nationally recognized forum that connects research with measurable policy change.

“Centre for Development and Enterprises Great Lakes continually strengthens the institutions of freedom in Burundi, where I've seen their annual Freedom Week become widely influential in the public policy debate,” said Atlas Network Executive Vice President of Programs Casey Pifer. “Their contagious hope for a freer Africa, and their relentless efforts as Burundi's expert local think tank, inspires hundreds of civil society organizations around the world to more ambitious impact in their own communities."

The Regional Liberty Awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate how locally driven ideas and solutions can create lasting improvements in their communities. Winners and finalists are recognized through Atlas Network’s regional forums and receive recognition as part of a global network of organizations advancing liberty and opportunity.

To learn more about Centre for Development and Enterprises (CDE) Great Lakes and their project Freedom Week, visit https://centrefordevelopmentgreatlakes.org/