Delegates attending the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. June 13, 2025
Serena Hotel, Kigali – June 11–13, 2025
The 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference that has been taking place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, has one clear message: Philanthropy must shift to systemic, inclusive, and locally-led approaches.
Under the theme “Agile Philanthropy: Adapting to Economic, Social, and Political Shifts,” the conference brought together philanthropy actors, civil society organizations, development practitioners, and policy influencers across the region.
Over three days, the conference provided a critical space for reflection, collaboration, and commitment toward redefining philanthropy to respond effectively to shifting socio-political and economic landscapes in Africa.
From keynote addresses to panel discussions, co-creation labs, and breakout sessions, the central message was clear: philanthropy in Africa must transform—from temporary project-based interventions to long-term, community-driven systemic change.
Below are the key takeaways from the deliberations so far.
- Philanthropy Must Evolve to Match Africa’s Current Realities
One of the dominant messages throughout the conference was the urgent need to rethink philanthropic approaches.
The traditional donor-beneficiary relationship was described as outdated and insufficient for addressing today’s complex challenges.
Participants stressed the importance of moving from short-term project funding to long-term investments that are embedded in systems thinking.
Philanthropy must evolve into a vehicle for systemic change—building resilient institutions, facilitating policy shifts, and investing in the social fabric of communities.
The call was made for philanthropy to go beyond supporting programs to influencing how systems operate—particularly in health, education, gender equity, and governance.
This includes promoting mental health and well-being within these sectors, not as an afterthought but as a key component of sustainable change.
- Shift from Donor-Driven to Community-Led Approaches
A recurring theme was the need to decentralize decision-making and bring communities to the center of philanthropic planning and implementation. The current approach, where external actors often design and impose solutions, was criticized for being disconnected from local realities.
Participants argued that co-creation—where solutions are developed with, not for, communities—is critical for achieving relevance and sustainability.
Emphasis was placed on abandoning programs that no longer serve community needs and embracing initiatives rooted in local wisdom and aspirations.
Speakers reinforced that Africa’s development future lies in localized, inclusive processes that respect and integrate the voices of community members, including marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities.
The conversation around inclusivity and accessibility is not just about representation—it’s about embedding justice into philanthropic practice.
- Catalytic Philanthropy and System-Level Investments
Deliberations highlighted the concept of catalytic philanthropy—philanthropy that not only supports initiatives but also stimulates broader change by influencing other actors and systems.
This approach requires philanthropists to take risks, pilot innovations, and invest in ideas that may not yield immediate results but have the potential to shift systems fundamentally.
Participants agreed that agile philanthropy must embrace complexity and long-term impact over quick wins.
The transition from project-based giving to system investments was underscored as essential.
Philanthropy, they argued, must support infrastructure, institutional capacity, and policy environments that enable sustainable transformation.
- Trust, Governance, and Accountability: The Missing Links in Collaboration
Trust emerged as a vital but fragile currency in philanthropy. Conference discussions emphasized that trust is built—or eroded—by specific behaviors, including transparency, accountability, and communication.
It was noted that governance structures in many philanthropic partnerships are either weak or superficial, making collaboration difficult and often short-lived. Sustainable partnerships, participants argued, require equitable governance mechanisms that reflect shared power and mutual accountability.
The phenomenon of the “hero founder syndrome” was also criticized.
This ego-driven model of leadership often undermines collective efforts and damages trust.
Participants called for humility and authenticity in leadership, with a stronger focus on listening, learning, and creating space for others.
- Philanthropy Must Be Grounded in African Values and Realities
Ubuntu—or “utu” as it is known in Swahili—was repeatedly referenced as a guiding principle.
This African philosophy of shared humanity, interdependence, and collective responsibility resonated across discussions as an ethical and cultural foundation for philanthropy.
Participants emphasized that philanthropy must reflect African values, languages, and cultural practices.
Rather than mimicking Western models, Africa should draw on its indigenous knowledge systems and collaborative traditions to shape a uniquely African philanthropic identity.
This grounding in cultural context, speakers argued, is vital for equitable partnerships between governments, civil society, and communities.
- Reclaiming Narratives and the Power of Storytelling
Storytelling was championed as a powerful tool for advocacy, learning, and accountability.
Participants noted that data alone is not enough; narratives must also be told—especially by those closest to the impact.
Conference sessions highlighted how storytelling can humanize data, shift perceptions, and inspire action. However, the emphasis was not on curated success stories alone, but on stories of failure, adaptation, and resilience.
There was a call to democratize storytelling, enabling community voices to lead the narrative.
Participants were reminded that Africa holds powerful stories of change and self-reliance—and that these stories must be amplified to reframe Africa’s image globally.
- The Role of Individual Giving and Local Resource Mobilization
A significant insight from the conference was the growing role of individual giving and local resource mobilization in Africa.
Speakers noted that Africans are already giving—through family support systems, faith-based contributions, and community fundraising efforts.
This form of giving, often overlooked by institutional philanthropy, is proving to be a critical driver of change.
Local philanthropy, built on trust and social capital, is enabling communities to respond to crises, build schools, fund healthcare, and support local innovators.
Participants were challenged to document, support, and scale these forms of giving.
There was consensus that Africa must build stronger local philanthropic institutions and frameworks that can harness and formalize this giving for broader impact.
- Data, Metrics, and Measured Transformation
The need for better data was another strong theme. Philanthropic actors were urged to move beyond anecdotal evidence and start investing in data systems that can measure change meaningfully.
Sessions explored how impact metrics should reflect African realities and values—not just imported benchmarks. It was stressed that metrics are cultural, and therefore Africa must define its own measures of success.
Data storytelling was emphasized as a way to translate numbers into narratives that can inform learning, influence policy, and drive funding decisions.
- Legal Contracts and Power Asymmetries
Breakout sessions also addressed the often-overlooked legal frameworks that underpin donor-grantee relationships. Many participants reported that contracts are typically skewed in favor of donors, limiting flexibility and sometimes constraining the ability of organizations to act in their communities’ best interests.
There was a call for greater legal literacy among grantees and for contracts to be more balanced—respecting the autonomy of implementing organizations while ensuring mutual accountability.
Workshops highlighted case studies where organizations were locked into restrictive legal terms that undermined their work. Participants urged donors to co-design agreements that are fair, flexible, and contextually appropriate.
- Mental Health, Well-being, and Philanthropic Practice
Beyond strategies and systems, the conference brought to light the importance of mental health and well-being in the philanthropic sector.
Sessions emphasized that those working in the field—whether funders or implementers—are often under immense pressure, leading to burnout and reduced effectiveness.
A people-centered philanthropic ecosystem, participants argued, must prioritize emotional well-being, gender equity, and healthy work cultures.
This human-centered approach is vital for sustaining energy and commitment in the long journey toward systemic change.
- Sustainable Projects and the End of the Handout Culture
One of the conference’s boldest calls was to end the culture of handouts and dependence. Philanthropy, participants said, must support self-reliance and sustainability—through skills development, local entrepreneurship, and long-term capacity building.
The goal is to create projects that outlive donor cycles and continue to benefit communities for generations.
This requires reimagining philanthropic timelines, embracing patient capital, and investing in institutions and ecosystems—not just activities.
Participants noted that Africa holds immense resources—natural, cultural, and human—and philanthropy must focus on unlocking these assets for transformative change.
- A Call to Action: Building a Movement for Change
As the conference closed, there was a collective sense of urgency and responsibility. Attendees were reminded that their presence was not symbolic—it was a commitment to act.
The conversations held, stories shared, and lessons learned must now be translated into action.
Participants were urged to carry forward the momentum—to form coalitions, advocate for change, and hold themselves accountable.
A challenge was issued to build a movement—an African-led philanthropic revolution rooted in justice, equity, and shared purpose.
The future of the continent, it was said, will be shaped not by the promises made in Kigali, but by the actions taken from here on.
The 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference has drawn a powerful roadmap for the future of giving in Africa. It calls for an agile, reflective, and rooted philanthropy—one that listens, adapts, co-creates, and transforms.
It reminds us that philanthropy is not just about what is given, but how, why, and with whom.
As the sector looks ahead, the Kigali conference will be remembered as a pivotal moment—a turning point toward a more inclusive, accountable, and Africa-owned philanthropic future.
