Cover page of ATCRI's Annual Progress Report for 2009.

The year 2008‐2009 marked the first year of existence of the Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI). Successfully established in September 2008 with funding support from a three‐year seed grant totalling $500,000 from the American Cancer Society and Cancer Research UK ‐ the world's two largest cancer charities, the Initiative is being hosted by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN).

In a continent that has never witnessed such an initiative in tobacco control, the idea of establishing an Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI) is to Africa, both novel and monumental. In the light of the continent's linguistic and cultural diversity, the successful take off of the initiative is no mean feat. ATCRI took off on September 1, 2008 with three staff and four consultants. This annual report provides an overview of the results of activities and financial information for ATCRI's first year, covering the period of September 1, 2008 and September 31, 2009. These results illustrate the dedication and commitment of ATCRI management team and consultants.

In its first year, ATCRI has recorded remarkable achievements in the actualization of its set goals and objectives. Perhaps one of the most significant achievements is the acceptance and ownership of the initiative by the African tobacco control community, which contributed to making ATCRI a recognized institution for tobacco control resources and technical assistance in the region within a year. This success has been further reflected in the encouraging reportage that ATCRI received from news media outlets across the continent and the international media.