Prof. Bhekinkosi Moyo Director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School
Prof. Bhekinkosi Moyo will be among the distinguished speakers at the 2025 East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) Conference, scheduled for June 11 to 13 in Kigali, Rwanda.
As Director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School, his participation underscores the growing importance of African-led approaches to philanthropy, research, and development.
With decades of experience across academia, civil society, and policy advocacy, Prof. Moyo is uniquely placed to contribute to this high-level regional convening.
A Deep Commitment to African Philanthropy
Prof. Moyo’s academic journey reflects his enduring commitment to African thought leadership.
He began his studies with a Diploma in Philosophy from Chishawasha Seminary in Zimbabwe.
He later earned a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of Zimbabwe, before advancing to complete both his Master’s and PhD in Politics at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa.
At Wits Business School, Moyo leads CAPSI—Africa’s first academic centre fully dedicated to the study and promotion of African philanthropy and social investment.
Under his stewardship, CAPSI has grown into a hub for rigorous research, executive education, and thought leadership on philanthropy rooted in African values and practices.
Through courses that span fundraising, social entrepreneurship, and African giving systems, Moyo equips future leaders with the knowledge to build locally grounded and impactful institutions.
Beyond the classroom, Prof. Moyo regularly engages with global audiences.
He has delivered guest lectures at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Strategic Philanthropy and the University of Geneva’s Centre for Philanthropy, promoting dialogue on how philanthropy can drive equitable and sustainable development.
Leadership That Connects Research and Practice
Before assuming his current academic role, Moyo held senior positions in several pan-African and regional organizations. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Africa Trust, an institution focused on overcoming poverty and inequality in the region.
Before that, he was Director of Programmes at TrustAfrica, where he worked on promoting democratic governance and inclusive development.
Earlier in his career, he held research and policy roles with the Africa Institute of South Africa, the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), and the Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre.
These experiences grounded his lifelong belief that development in Africa must be driven by context-specific knowledge, civic agency, and homegrown solutions.
Moyo’s perspective is clear: philanthropy in Africa must emerge from within, informed by indigenous practices and social contracts, not externally imposed models. This ethos informs both his scholarly work and his policy advocacy.
Publications and Thought Leadership
A prolific writer and editor, Prof. Moyo has contributed extensively to the growing body of knowledge on African philanthropy, civil society, and governance. His books include:
- Giving to Help, Helping to Give – a foundational text exploring the philosophical, political, and economic dimensions of African giving;
- African Philanthropy: Philanthropic Responses to Covid-19 and Development Goals in Africa – a timely edited volume on how African philanthropy responded to the global pandemic.
He has also published in academic and practitioner journals such as Alliance Magazine and the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, where he serves on editorial boards.
His writings have advanced critical conversations on civic space, funding models, and the role of philanthropy in advancing democratic ideals.
Board Service and Advocacy
Prof. Moyo’s influence extends through board memberships and advisory roles that span the continent. He is Chair of the SIVIO Institute, a think tank dedicated to public policy and citizen engagement, and also chairs the Association for Research on Civil Society in Africa (AROCSA).
He serves on the International Advisory Council of Afrobarometer, one of Africa’s leading research networks, and was a founding board member of Accountability Lab Zimbabwe.
These roles reflect his sustained commitment to transparency, civic accountability, and the institutional strengthening of Africa’s civil society sector.
Consultancy and Sectoral Insights
In recent years, Moyo has led or contributed to numerous consultancy assignments that address critical sectoral issues.
His research has explored the impact of COVID-19 on civic activism, the shrinking civic space, particularly for women-led organizations, and strategies to adapt to technological disruption in the nonprofit sector.
He has provided technical support in resource mobilization and strategy for organizations such as the Southern Africa Resource Watch and the Mandela Institute for Development Studies, helping them navigate a changing operational landscape.
What to Expect at the EAPN Conference
This year’s EAPN Conference will convene leaders, practitioners, and scholars to explore how philanthropy can be a transformative force in sustainable development.
With sessions covering legal frameworks, community engagement, and innovation in giving, the conference seeks to bolster the impact and sustainability of philanthropy in East Africa.
Prof. Moyo’s session is expected to highlight the role of African philanthropy in shaping development agendas that respond to local needs and socio-political realities.
Drawing on his deep research and practical leadership, he will share how philanthropic institutions can strengthen democracy, promote social justice, and foster economic inclusion.
