Margaret Mliwa: Centering Local Leadership and Justice in Regional Grantmaking.Photo courtesy
As East Africa’s philanthropy sector pushes for more equitable, locally grounded approaches to giving, Margaret Mliwa stands out as a leader shaping this transformation from within.
Mliwa, the Regional Director for East Africa at the Ford Foundation, will be among the featured speakers at the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) Conference in Kigali this June.
Her participation comes at a time when global and regional actors are rethinking how to share power, protect civic space, and invest in sustainable, community-driven systems.
Education and Ethical Grounding
Mliwa earned a Bachelor of Education (Arts) from Kenyatta University in 2004, laying a foundation in public education and social development.
To deepen her ethical framework for leadership, she pursued a Master of Applied Philosophy and Ethics at Strathmore University, a program she completed between May 2020 and October 2024.
This academic grounding informs her principled approach to funding, governance, and institutional accountability in philanthropy.
Cross-Sectoral Experience in Youth, Governance, and Civil Society
With over 20 years of experience, Mliwa has built a career spanning government, civil society, and philanthropy.
From 2004 to 2010, she worked at Kenya’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, where she led national youth empowerment programs and contributed to policy development.
Her efforts focused on enhancing youth agency and mainstreaming their voices in national planning.
She later served as Country Director for Restless Development Tanzania from 2012 to 2016, leading youth-led accountability initiatives and supporting participatory governance.
Her work prioritized inclusion, particularly among young people advocating for responsive institutions.
As a consultant, Mliwa co-developed Sierra Leone’s National Youth Service framework, expanding her impact beyond East Africa.
She also advised regional agencies on governance and leadership programming for youth, civil society organizations, and public sector institutions.
Leadership at the Ford Foundation
Mliwa joined the Ford Foundation in 2017 as a Program Officer, focusing on civic engagement and governance.
She was later promoted to Senior Program Officer and took on additional responsibilities as Acting Regional Director, culminating in her appointment as Regional Director in May 2025.
In her current role, Mliwa oversees the Foundation’s operations across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, supporting efforts that advance human rights, civic participation, and accountable governance.
She has championed long-term, trust-based support for local organizations, particularly those navigating politically sensitive or restrictive environments.
Her tenure at Ford has coincided with global conversations on decolonizing aid and philanthropy, themes closely tied to her leadership style and the Foundation’s evolving regional strategy.
Anticipated Contributions to the EAPN Conference
Although the specific topic of her session has not been disclosed, Mliwa’s presence at the EAPN Conference aligns with its focus on shifting narratives, ethical financing, local ownership, and Indigenous knowledge.
Her experience across sectors and countries positions her to speak credibly on equitable grantmaking, institutional humility, and community-centered philanthropy.
Rather than prescribing solutions, Mliwa emphasizes listening, co-creation, and supporting movements that already exist within communities.
This approach reflects a broader ethos emerging within African philanthropy—one grounded in solidarity rather than charity.
A Vision for Grounded, Accountable Philanthropy
Margaret Mliwa’s journey reflects the power of ethical leadership rooted in lived experience.
From public service to youth advocacy and now philanthropy, she brings a rare blend of policy fluency, grassroots insight, and strategic vision.
At a time when the philanthropic sector is reimagining its purpose and practice, her voice adds clarity and credibility.
