The Africa Centre is considering selling its centre in Southwark, London, amid “increasing financial pressures” including a fall in income and the cost of maintaining the property.

In a statement the cultural charity says that “rising operating costs, inflation, declining unrestricted income and the significant cost of maintaining a large cultural building have placed growing demands on the organisation's resources”.

The statement adds: “Without decisive action, an increasing share of the Centre's income will continue to be spent on maintaining buildings rather than on investing in people, programmes and public impact.

“The Trustees believe this moment should be defined not by financial challenge alone but by the opportunity to build a stronger institution for the next sixty years.”

Options it is considering include an outright sale of the property, a sale and leaseback arrangement or a shared ownership model among the community, or seeking support from “a philanthropic individual or organization committed to its mission”.

It said: “Every decision will be guided by one principle: safeguarding The Africa Centre's mission and ensuring its long-term sustainability.”

According to its latest financial records filed with the Charity Commission, it spent £1.2m in the 12 months to March 2025, almost double its income of £643,000. The regulator notes that this was filed almost two months late.

This is the third financial year in a row where its spending has significantly outstripped its income.

Between 2023 and 2025 The Africa Centre spent a total of £3.7m while its income over this period totalled £1.5m.

The Centre launched in 1964 originally to foster relations between Britain and newly independent countries in Africa. It has since become a cultural institution “to educate, connect and advocate for Africa and its disaspora”.

---