Shriners Take Root in Africa

October 11, 2025, was a historic day for Shriners International – one the visiting Canadian and American delegations will never forget. The occasion? Karnak Shriners of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, established the Nubia Shrine Club in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with 163 new nobles.

It was a proud moment of unity and brotherhood: a French-speaking temple helping to establish a new Shriners presence in French-speaking West Africa with the goal to form a new temple – the first in Africa – in 2027.

The nobles went above and beyond to mark the occasion: transforming the space with colorful Egyptian-style banners, a grand tent fit for a desert celebration, a live camel and buckets of sand hauled in to cover the floor. And when it was over, they carried it all out again by hand. That’s real dedication.

Months of preparation went into planning the ceremony under the guidance of Karnak Shriners. “The most rewarding part has been seeing the incredible enthusiasm and dedication of the new nobles,” said Marc David, Assistant Rabban of Karnak Shriners. “Their energy and commitment are truly inspiring.”

Special care was taken to adapt ceremonial language and messaging to align with African Masonic traditions, which tend to be more formal and reserved. The Karnak team also worked closely with local leaders to ensure cultural sensitivity – mindful of how Shriners’ imagery, such as the fez and crescent, might be perceived in a predominantly Muslim and Christian nation. The focus was kept on charity, unity and care for children.

In a powerful symbol of brotherhood, the nobles closed the ceremony by saluting the flags of Ivory Coast, Canada and the United States as each national anthem played.

How It All Began

It started with a simple conversation. In 2021, Most Worshipful Sylvere Koyo, Grand Master of Ivory Coast, visited the Grand Lodge of Quebec in Montreal. There, he met David, who told him about Shriners and their mission to help children. Koyo visited Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada, where he was deeply touched by the compassion of the staff and the care given to the young patients. He immediately saw the potential for a similar presence in his own country.

Soon after, the Grand Master gave his support for establishing a Shriners presence in Ivory Coast, and in 2023, 12 Ivory Coast Master Masons traveled to Montreal to be initiated as nobles of Karnak. Word spread quickly. Within months, nearly 200 more expressed interest in joining the fraternity.

Bringing Care to a New Continent

From the beginning, the mission wasn’t just fraternal – it was also medical. As a member of the Board of Governors for the Shriners Children's hospital in Montreal, David began coordinating with Montreal hospital Board Chairman Gary McKeown, Shriners Children’s Trustee Tim Ludwig and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Leslie Stewart to explore potential medical outreach in West Africa.

With the support of local leaders, Dr. Stewart and the team met with the prime minister of Ivory Coast and the director general of the Cocody University Hospital in Abidjan, who both expressed strong support for future collaboration. Discussions centered on the possibility of Shriners Children’s medical staff training local doctors, nurses and surgeons.

The need is immense. Access to specialized pediatric care is limited, and many children live with treatable conditions that go unaddressed. The Shriners Children’s model – bringing life-changing care to children where they live – could be transformative in this region, Dr. Stewart said.

An Unforgettable Visit

One of the most memorable moments came on the last day of the trip. Dr. Stewart and Shriners Children’s Executive Vice President John McCabe were on their way to a farewell lunch when a sudden rainstorm delayed the rest of the delegation traveling by boat. With unexpected time to spare, and driving through the village of Bonoua, their guide, Noble Jeoffrey Woods, mentioned the Don Orion Centre. It’s a small pediatric facility in the village run by Catholic priests. On impulse, they turned back to explore. They were greeted by the facility director – and to their surprise, discovered it was the country’s only prosthetics center. Inside, it felt like stepping back in time.

The tools and braces looked like they hadn’t changed since the 1950s. “Imagine the ‘Run, Forrest, Run’ scene from Forrest Gump,” described one noble.

But what struck them most wasn’t the outdated equipment – it was the spirit of the patients. Despite it being a Sunday, the small center was filled with children waiting to be fitted for prosthetic limbs. Their faces were bright with determination and hope.

Dr. Stewart was deeply moved as the children gathered around him for a photo. “You could feel it,” he later said. “This is where we can make a difference.”

That unplanned visit ended up defining the entire mission. It reminded everyone why this goal of expansion matters so deeply. Sometimes, the most powerful moments are unexpected – yet filled with possibility.

Looking Ahead

Today, the Nubia Shrine Club has grown to about 175 nobles, with another 150 expected to join early next year. At the upcoming Imperial Session in Tampa, Florida, Karnak Shriners hopes to seek dispensation to create a new temple in Ivory Coast. The goal: to create 300 members by early next year and receive their charter at Imperial Session that summer in Philadelphia.

On the medical side, planning is already underway. The long-term vision is simple but profound: to bring Shriners Children’s specialists – and hope – to children across West Africa.

A Fitting Finale

At the post-ceremony celebration lunch, Trustee Ricky Arrocha lightened the day by naming the first official "Shriners Ambassador" from Ivory Coast – Noble Louis Bamba, humorously chosen because he fainted during the initiation and was therefore “the first to feel the heat” of the collective energy and emotion during the day’s ceremony. The room erupted in laughter, a perfect note to end a very special day.