Individual giving is driving change in Africa – Nadia Kist tells philanthropy conference in Kigali

Kigali, Rwanda – June 12: Nadia Kist, Co-Executive Director, Blood:Water has called on African communities to embrace the power of small individual giving as a key driver of change across the continent.

Speaking on the second day of the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference, taking place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Kist highlighted the importance of individuals who give their time, skills, or money – however little – to support community development.

“We are the ones who are making the difference,” said Kist. “No one else is coming. Even if it is in small ways – time and treasure – this creates a movement.”

Kist was addressing a panel on building coherence in a fragmented world. The discussions focused on among other issues the existing frameworks and whether alignment is the missing infrastructure.

She emphasized that data shows individual giving is currently the largest source of revenue for civil society, and urged communities to focus on what they already have, rather than waiting for external help.

“It is about what do I have in my hand right now, and how can I put it in the larger bowl,” she said. “Then we move collectively in the same direction.”

The three-day conference, which runs from June 11 to 13, has drawn over 500 delegates from across Africa and beyond. It is organized under the theme “Agile Philanthropy: Adapting to Economic, Social, and Political Shifts.” The event aims to encourage innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and systems-level change in the philanthropic space.

Kist called for a mindset shift within the sector. She urged participants to look more closely at community-driven models that are already working and think about how they can be replicated in other areas.

“We need to look at what’s working and amplify it. Let’s identify the community models that are successful and find ways to support and replicate them elsewhere,” she said.

She further challenged philanthropy actors to stop focusing on waiting for others to join their cause and instead make the most of the people and resources already at the table.

“Action should not be focused on who else is coming to the table. It should focus on who is already there and what can be done with those on the table,” she said. “It’s about fostering collaboration.”

Her remarks touched a central theme of the conference – building resilient and adaptive philanthropic systems that can respond to Africa’s complex and fast-changing realities.

Kist  is the Co-Executive Director, Blood:Water, a philanthropic organization that partners in grant-making exclusively with African-led organizations.

With a background in humanitarian aid and development, she has spent nearly two decades working in East and Southern Africa. She is well known for promoting local ownership and inclusion in philanthropy.

Her message resonated strongly with delegates, many of whom represent organizations that rely heavily on local contributions and face growing uncertainty in international donor funding.

“We have to believe that even our smallest acts matter,” Kist said. “It’s the collective movement that brings change.”

Throughout the day, other sessions also emphasized the importance of local leadership, accountability, and finding African solutions to African challenges.

Participants continued to explore how philanthropy can remain relevant and impactful amid shifting political, social, and economic dynamics. The call to support homegrown giving models echoed across various panels and breakout sessions.

Kist’s remarks served as a reminder that while big funding from institutions remains valuable, African philanthropy must not overlook the immense potential in grassroots contributions – not just in money, but in time, talent, and trust.

As the conference heads into its final day, key themes include building trust in local actors, leveraging technology in giving, and rethinking how philanthropy measures impact.

Nadia Kist’s call to action underscored a growing consensus: for philanthropy in Africa to thrive, it must be rooted in community, collaboration, and belief in the power of individuals to make a difference – one day at a time.