The African Philanthropy Conference is an annual gathering of the continent’s philanthropic institutions and stakeholders.
Since its inception, the conference has provided an opportunity for academics, practitioners, philanthropic leaders, donors, think tanks and government officials, a platform for sharing experiences, collective reflection and development of philanthropic and social investment practices of the continent’s people. As the journey into the future continues, this conference was charged with the responsibility of unravelling the issues that lie within the annual themes and to devise the way forward for philanthropy.
Conference report
4th Annual African Philanthropy Conference
Ese Emerhi, Alliance Regional Representative for Sub-Saharan Africa
I stepped into the conference wondering if we would truly allow ourselves to dream, to break free from siloed work, to be introspective and admit where we, as African development practitioners, have played a role in the situation we find ourselves. Are we up for this challenge? After four years of gathering annually, is there a way forward? The answer is…below! Read more…
Interview
Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation
Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation.
I met Mamadou in July 2022 in Italy at the first convening of the Global South Impact Community (GSIC). The community is comprised of senior leaders from public, private, and philanthropic institutions across the Global South, of which the Global Fund for Community Foundations and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) are members. At the time, Mamadou was taking on the reins of the African Capacity Building Foundation, so at the side-lines of this year’s 4th Annual African Philanthropy Conference in Saly, Senegal, and after hearing him give his keynote speech, I took the opportunity to reconnect and catch up with him. Read more…
Reflections from delegates
Transformative connections: The power of artists and youth in African philanthropy
Tarisai Jangara, African Philanthropy Network.
Attending the 4th African Philanthropy Conference in Senegal was a truly transformative experience for me. Not only did I have the opportunity to attend, but I also had the privilege of co-facilitating the conference. This experience opened my eyes to the significance and importance of spaces where people can come together, connect, and collaborate. It was a platform for sharing personal reflections and practical solutions that can propel the African Philanthropy sector forward. What stood out to me the most was the inclusion of artists and youth in the conference. Read more…
Transformative connections: The power of artists and youth in African philanthropy
Thandi Makhubele, Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment, Wits Business School.
The conference aimed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and an exploration of innovative strategies to address pressing social and economic challenges across the continent. This write-up highlights key reflections from the conference, including a presentation on the ‘Women in African Philanthropy initiative’, bridging the academia-practice gap, promoting the visibility of grassroots philanthropies, and addressing issues of elitism and performative feminism within the philanthropic landscape. Read more…
Of, by, for the systems: Unraveling philanthropy’s quest for systemic change
Purity Mumo, East Africa Philanthropy Network.
The contemporary philanthropic landscape is constantly evolving, aiming not only to address the symptoms of societal issues but also to alter the very systems perpetuating these challenges. This approach, known as “systems change”, seeks to bring about transformative adjustments to underlying structures and mechanisms in society, aiming to bring lasting, impactful changes. However, achieving this is no small feat. One of the most profound challenges lies in the reality that many of these systems are structured “for the systems, by the systems, and of the systems.” However, what does this mean, and how does it impede progress in philanthropy aimed at systems change? Read more…
Empowering the collective: Reimagining a community-driven World
Purity Mumo, East Africa Philanthropy Network.
The African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” is not just a poetic reflection of community unity but a deep understanding of effective societal progress.
Amidst the convolution of modern societies, the wisdom encapsulated in this saying offers clarity. Genuine progress, especially in addressing challenges like power dynamics, stems from collaborative efforts that tap into collective wisdom, resilience, and strength. Recognising this requires a critical analysis of traditional top-down approaches, highlighting their limitations, and pivoting towards strategies anchored on community participation. Read more…
The future of African philanthropy: A reflection of the 4th African Philanthropy Conference
Ogo Chukwudi, TrustAfrica
Reflecting on the 4th African Philanthropy Conference held recently in Dakar, the resonating theme, African philanthropy at an inflection point focusing on people, power, practice and policy, lingers prominently in my thoughts. This year’s conference felt markedly different, suggesting a palpable shift in the broader landscape of African Philanthropy. Read more…
African Philanthropy: from Inflection point to radical transformation – what will it take?
Nikita Patodia, Just Associates.
The scope of the conference seemed as vast and all-encompassing as the continent of Africa itself, making us discuss the wide spectrum of what may be understood as African philanthropy. People in the room were from across private, public, and corporate philanthropic organisations, academic institutes, doctoral scholars from African and other universities, UN agencies, social enterp
rises and businesses with a focus across Africa, trade and regulatory professionals, very few community organisations and feminist and movement organisations, among others. On one hand, it is the need of the hour to be in dialogue across professional and ideological lines in order to collectivise towards an inflection point that serves all people and our planet. On the other hand, it poses a huge challenge in agreeing about the transformative nature of change needed, given the diverse group also serves diverse interests. Read more…
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