The 5th African Philanthropy Conference: Exploring the next frontiers in social impact
The 5th African Philanthropy Conference was held this year against the spectacular backdrop of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and was the biggest gathering yet.
Since the first edition was held at Wits Business School in 2019, this annual event has grown significantly in scale and impact. The 5th edition drew 320 participants representing 43 countries, including academics and researchers, philanthropic organisations, policy makers, and funders.
The conference, themed “The Next Frontiers of African Philanthropy” was convened through the partnership of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School (WBS), and TrustAfrica, alongside the African Philanthropy Forum, the Africa Philanthropy Network, East Africa Philanthropy Network, the Southern Africa Trust and the Zambian Governance Foundation.
The annual convening provides a platform for stakeholders from across the continent to share insights and understanding of what philanthropy means in Africa, for Africans. Sessions were curated to offer a deeper understanding of the emerging trends in African philanthropy in order to form an effective, collective response.
Delegates participated in 22 parallel sessions and 18 academic panels while hearing six keynote addresses in five plenary sessions. The conference also hosted site visits to community projects running in Livingstone, Zambia which were excellently facilitated by the Healing Balm Foundation, an inspiring community organisation.
A highlight of the conference was the Lifetime Achievement Awards gala dinner at which Tade Aina was announced as the 2024 awardee. Dr Aina is the Chief Impact and Research Officer at the Mastercard Foundation whose work in the fields of urban poverty, governance, development theory and practice, higher education, nutrition and child development, and environment and development has revolutionised philanthropy and made a immeasurable impact.
Former recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, H.E. Mrs Graça Machel, was a guest of honour at the conference and shared an ignite talk which was moderated by renowned development leader Theo Sowa. Inspirational, forthright and a guiding light, Mrs Machel’s talk was a highlight for many as they savoured the opportunity to learn from a globally renowned freedom fighter, activist and policy influencer.
The conference has announced the dates and location for its much anticipated next edition. Moving to another wonder of the world situated on the continent, the great pyramids of Cairo Egypt will offer a backdrop for the 6th African Philanthropy Conference. With the next frontiers and the agenda set, the conference looks forward to welcoming its growing pan-African community of practitioners, academics and change enablers from 28 July to 1 August 2025.