Our History
Rotaract Districts in Africa have been working together for many years. One of the major challenges we face is expanding our collaborations to accommodate more Districts in Africa, due to a lack of information and communication amongst Rotaractors and Rotaract Districts. Due to this challenge, a group of Rotaract friends identified the need to start up a Rotaract Africa Multi-District Information Organisation (RA-MDIO) and approached Rotary International.
This decision was inspired by the Rotaract Africa Summit, an event recognized by RI that brings together Rotaractors across the continent, to celebrate diverse perspectives, discover common interests and inspire new synergy.
Timeline of Events
The first Rotaract Club in Africa was the Rotaract Club of Durban in South Africa, District 9370 and was chartered on 1st October 1968. However, since this club was subsequently terminated, currently, the oldest active club in the region is the Rotaract Club of Mombasa in Kenya, District 9212 which was chartered on 17th March 1972.
After the conference a group consisting of District Rotaract Representatives (2018/2019) of 14 Districts in Africa was set up and the first draft by-laws established. However, it took another two years to push the idea over the line, due to the strong desire to get all the districts in Africa involved.
In 2020, the District Rotaract Representatives 2020/2021 representing the 16 Districts in Africa came together and in a joint statement reiterated their intention to work as a unit. On 18th October 2020, they formally passed what would become the official Rotaract Africa MDIO constitution and by-laws and on this day the Rotaract Africa Multi-District Information Organization was established.
With the consent of their District Governors they formalised the process and on 25th May 2021, Rotary International, by the Executive Decision of Rotary International General Secretary on behalf of the Board of Directors, recognised Rotaract Africa as duly formed and operational.