ABOUT US

Adapt Localisation Nexus (ALN) is a Global South women-led consultancy firm working at the frontline of crisis, recovery, and systemic change. We centre the leadership of Global South women practitioners—those with direct experience and the knowledge to shape what comes next. Our work is grounded in places long sidelined by top-down aid and political neglect. We work with civil society, public institutions, and grassroots networks to strengthen what already exists and build from within. This is localisation on our terms: practical, political, and rooted in feminist, decolonial practice.

  • Our mission

    ALN was established to accelerate the transformation of the international aid sector by supporting the leadership of Global South women and the institutions they help shape.

    Our mission is to strengthen local and national leadership for recovery and development in fragile and conflict-affected settings. We do this through practical, political, and sustained support, grounded in the expertise of Global South women practitioners who know these systems from the inside.


    We work directly with local civil society, public institutions, and community-led networks. Our approach brings in technical support, political analysis, and capacity strengthening assistance rooted in local realities—not externally designed templates.

  • Our expertise

    At Adapt Localisation Nexus (ALN), we are driven by a dynamic network of Global South women practitioners, which was created to bridge the gap between global expertise and locally driven solutions. Whether providing technical assistance, guiding gender-responsive programming, or leading community-driven recovery initiatives, they ensure that every project is grounded in the realities of the communities most affected by crisis and conflict. By supporting local communities to lead their own recovery, we create sustainable systems that are responsive to their evolving needs.

  • Our focus areas

    At ALN, we prioritise an integrated humanitarian-development-peacebuilding approach to create sustainable, impactful solutions. Recognising the interdependence of these sectors, we focus on addressing the complex challenges communities face by ensuring they work together seamlessly.

    Our unique position allows us to bridge gaps between emergency response, long-term development, and peacebuilding, creating resilient, locally led systems. By centering communities in decision-making, we move away from top-down solutions and focus on strengthening local institutions and civil society.


OUR CORE TEAM

  •  Co-Founder & Executive Director 

    Sagal Abas Bafo is a women’s rights and nexus specialist with deep expertise in navigating fragile and conflict-affected environments across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As the founder of Adapt Localisation Nexus (ALN), she has spent over a decade working closely with women-led civil society organizations, local groups, and national stakeholders to address the multi-layered impacts of conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises. Currently, Sagal is supporting a diverse range of CSO partners in Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan, helping national and local leaders prepare to respond effectively to crises and humanitarian challenges. Her work includes fostering leadership capacity, developing crisis response frameworks, and ensuring that local actors are equipped to drive sustainable change in their own contexts.

  • Co-Founder

    Alice Coulibaly is an international development practitioner with over seven years of experience, specializing in conflict resolution, human rights, and social justice. As a co-founder of Adapt Localisation Nexus (ALN), Alice champions locally-driven, transformative solutions across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, empowering communities to lead sustainable change on their own terms.

    Her work spans a diverse range of institutions, from NGOs to development banks, where she designs and implements groundbreaking programs that challenge traditional development models.

  • Manager

    Zalia is a project manager, researcher, and curator with experience working across the arts, education, and strategy sectors. Her work spans a range of roles, from festival logistics and cultural event curation to supporting artists and leading research for the private and public sectors. Having worked in London, Colombo and Paris, she understands navigating complex projects involving marginalised and/or vulnerable communities and collaborating with diverse teams in international settings.

    Fluent in French, English, and Libano-Syrian Arabic, Zalia combines her academic training with hands-on experience to support collaborative and meaningful projects. Whether working on an exhibition, a research brief, or a budget, she focuses on clear communication, practical solutions, and creating space for new ideas.

  • ALN Partnership Officer 

    Hafsa Sabrie Jamalle is the Partnership Officer at ALN, where she supports partner outreach, diaspora engagement, and coordination with local and international stakeholders. She assists in mapping partnerships, preparing convenings, and strengthening ALN’s visibility and communication efforts. She is currently pursuing a BA in International Relations with a focus on Diplomacy and a minor in Journalism at the United States International University–Africa (USIU) in Nairobi. Fluent in Swahili, Norwegian, English, and Somali, Hafsa brings strong multilingual and intercultural skills to her work.

  • ALN Gender & CSO advisor 

    Jacqueline Awiti is a dedicated advocate for women’s leadership and inclusion, with a strong focus on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives. As the Coordinator for Gender Rights and Justice Advocacy, she brings extensive experience in advocacy, humanitarian, and development work. At ALN, Jacqueline plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing strategies to ensure women’s active participation in peacebuilding. She provides technical guidance and strategic support to feminist grassroots organizations, amplifying women’s voices in peace and security discussions to influence policy and drive action. With her expertise in addressing gender inequality and advancing human rights, Jacqueline ensures that women and girls are central to peace and security efforts at all levels, shaping impactful, inclusive solutions in conflict-affected settings.