There are over 972 people groups in Africa who are still considered unreached with the gospel. That translates to more than 420 million people across the continent who have yet to hear and experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. The question worth asking is: how might we come alongside what God is already doing to see the gospel reach even the most distant places across Africa?

Over the past decade, there’s been a growing awareness around the vital role of locally-led leadership in missions. Relationships – particularly those across cultures and between donors and local ministries – are most effective when built on trust, autonomy, and shared ownership. When dignity and partnership come first, lasting fruit often follows.

This is the kind of mission work we long to see grow: grounded efforts that strengthen what God is already doing through local leaders, and that walk alongside communities – not ahead of them.

Through many years of journeying with hundreds of ministries and in conversations with local leaders we deeply respect, we’ve seen recurring themes and insights emerge. With input from these trusted voices, we’ve outlined a few strategies for consideration in chapter 3 of the Awakening Africa report. Here are 7 insights for reaching Africa’s unreached in a meaningful and sustainable way:

7 strategies for consideration in reaching Africa’s unreached:

1. Educate church leaders

The most obvious approach is to start with the organisation in Africa with the widest reach – the church itself. In many cases, churches are not aware of the state of unreached people groups in Africa, nor of the need for obedience to the Great Commission. There is a need for educating local church leaders about the importance of having a missional mindset and then sharing practical knowledge on how to reach out to those who have never encountered the gospel.

2. Develop local leadership

Training and empowering local leaders for missions is crucial, especially since near-culture or same-culture leaders understand the cultural nuances and language of their communities, making them effective in evangelism and discipleship. Historic mission strategies prioritised Westerners going to new frontiers for missions. Although this is still an option, often outsiders are better utilised as mobilisers and trainers for local missionaries. Without doubt, Africans reaching Africans have the greatest impact on missions on the continent, while Westerners play key mobilisation roles.

3. Implement strategic church planting

A proven strategy for wider impact is to plant hubs in strategic locations. These hubs, led by African leaders, can then become bases for training, vision-casting, and raising up a new generation of leaders who go to the unreached with the gospel. A focus on church multiplication ensures that new believers are discipled and that new churches continue to plant more churches, creating a sustainable model of growth.

4. Contextualise the gospel

Context matters. Using local languages, stories, music, and cultural forms makes the gospel more accessible and authentic. Tools like the African Study Bible, Swahili Alpha films, youth-focussed Bible engagement programmes, and collaborations such as LuminAfrica make the message of Christ more accessible and relatable.

5. Serve practical needs

Holistic ministry approaches, such as providing medical care, clean water, education, and agricultural development, demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways and create real opportunities for evangelisation. Although there are some wonderful churches doing this, they are by far the exception rather than the rule. Africa is a greenfield for the church to reach out to the felt needs of society, and partnerships with ministries such as Farming God’s Way can enhance the church’s capacity to meet these needs.

6. Engage displaced peoples and refugees

Africa has much people movement due to war and poverty. As a result, there are multiple opportunities for the church to actively engage displaced people groups by bringing hope – for example, through the drilling of water wells, providing healthcare, or education. Through these efforts, the church can naturally move into disciple-making, trauma healing and assimilating people into supportive faith communities.

7. Mobilise prayer and spiritual warfare

Prayer breaks down spiritual strongholds and prepares people’s hearts to receive the gospel. Therefore, mobilising prayer networks to intercede for unreached people groups is vital. Spiritual warfare and prayer also come naturally to Africans.

Reaching Africa’s unreached and unengaged is a monumental task – but it’s essential. As we walk alongside churches and mission organisations, taking time to understand their unique contexts and challenges, we can hold onto a beautiful hope: that every tribe, tongue, and nation will one day receive the invitation to life and freedom in Christ.

To learn more, including who Africa’s unreached people groups are and the regions they call home, download the full chapter.

To learn more about the opportunity for the gospel in Africa, read the recently published Awakening Africa Report: Insights for Kingdom Mobilisation.

This report encapsulates learnings distilled over many years of walking alongside ministry partners. It also contains valuable insights and perspectives from African leaders, theologians, researchers and resource partners – for the sake of seeing the continent truly transformed by the gospel.

Download the full report here.