Tsitsi Masiyiwa. Photo courtesy
In a new move aimed at changing how philanthropy works in Africa, social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa has launched RemitHope.
The new digital platform is designed to harness the financial power of diaspora remittances for sustainable development on the continent.
This initiative marks an important new chapter in Masiyiwa’s philanthropic career, offering a clear and transparent model for African-led funding in response to the continent’s urgent development needs.
The Core Vision: Shifting the Remittance Narrative
The central idea behind RemitHope is to reframe the conversation around remittances.
For decades, the billions of dollars sent annually by the African diaspora have primarily functioned as a financial lifeline for individual families, covering basic needs like food, education, and housing.
While vital, this funding model is often fragmented, leaving its collective potential for larger change mostly unused.
RemitHope aims to change this by providing a trusted and effective channel for the diaspora to direct a portion of their earnings toward vetted, community projects.
Masiyiwa’s approach moves from a model of reactive charity to one of proactive, strategic investment.
As she noted on her LinkedIn page, “We are not just mobilizing resources; we are unlocking the power of Africans at home and abroad to create unstoppable, lasting change across our continent.”
This is a direct response to the decline in traditional aid from the Global North, positioning African-owned solutions and capital as the primary engine for progress.
The idea for RemitHope began “five years ago,” when Masiyiwa started developing a long-term, sustainable solution.
Now, as she begins what she calls her “decade of impact” in her 60s, she is dedicating her energy and expertise to making this vision real.
This long-term commitment underscores the serious intent behind the platform, aiming to build an enduring institution that will leave a lasting contribution to the continent by empowering its own people.
A Strategic Model Leveraging Technology and Trust
The operational strength of RemitHope lies in its mix of technology, transparency, and partnerships.
Fintech for Social Good: The platform is described as a “fintech-powered social enterprise,” designed to make giving simple, secure, and easily accessible.
By utilizing modern financial technology, it ensures that every donation is tracked from contribution to impact a crucial feature for building the trust that has often been a barrier to large-scale diaspora giving.
The use of a digital platform also allows for scalability, making it possible for millions of people to contribute small amounts that collectively create significant change.
Vetted Community-Led Projects: A core part of the model is its community-driven approach.
RemitHope identifies and partners with grassroots, local organizations to ensure that funded initiatives are relevant and directly address the specific needs of the communities they serve.
By doing so, the platform empowers local leaders and strengthens African-led non-profits, shifting influence from external funders to local decision-makers.
The rigorous vetting process ensures accountability and builds confidence among donors that their contributions are being used effectively.
Matching Funds: Doubling Impact: Another notable feature of RemitHope is its matching funds model.
Masiyiwa has secured commitments from philanthropic partners, including her own Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies, who will match every dollar donated to specific projects, effectively doubling the impact of each contribution.
This incentive not only increases the reach of a campaign but also leverages the collective power of small, individual donations to create significant change.
It also encourages broader participation, as donors see their contributions multiplied.
The Mount Selinda Campaign: A Proof of Concept
The platform’s potential was clear during its first major campaign in July 2025.
After a fire destroyed the Mount Selinda Children’s Home in Zimbabwe, RemitHope launched a campaign to help rebuild.
The response was immediate, with support coming from local communities and the African diaspora.
Thanks to the platform’s ability to mobilize this network, along with matching funds from philanthropic partners, the campaign quickly exceeded its target, raising over $81,000 to aid reconstruction.
This timely response showed RemitHope’s ability to provide both immediate relief and long-term support.
The success of this first campaign demonstrated the platform’s capacity to respond swiftly to emergencies while also building a foundation for ongoing support.
Ambitious Goals and Key Development Areas
RemitHope has set a five-year goal: to raise $50 million and fund 1,000 African-led organizations across 13 countries.
This targeted approach aims to address critical funding gaps in several key areas of development that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa:
Education: Expanding access to quality education, vocational training, and second-chance learning.
Health: Supporting community-led health solutions and access to essential services.
Emergencies: Strengthening readiness for climate disasters and other crises.
Livelihoods: Building resilient local economies that promote sustainable prosperity.
Mothers, Children & Families: Creating better opportunities for underserved populations.
Arts and Culture: Supporting initiatives that preserve African heritage.
The Remittance Landscape in Africa: Billions in Untapped Potential
Remittances represent a crucial and growing source of external finance for Africa, often surpassing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA).
According to the World Bank, in 2023, remittance inflows to Africa were estimated at around $95 billion, with some estimates suggesting the true figure is even higher when including informal channels.
This flow grew from about $53 billion in 2010 to roughly $95 billion in 2023.
As a share of the continent’s economic output, remittances increased from 3.6% of GDP in 2010 to 5.1% in 2023.
Top recipient countries in 2023 included Nigeria, which received over $20 billion, Egypt with about $22.65 billion, and Morocco with over $12 billion.
Kenya recorded over $4 billion, while smaller nations such as The Gambia, Lesotho, and Comoros relied even more heavily, with remittances accounting for over 10% of GDP.
Remittances are not just a macroeconomic factor; they remain a vital lifeline for millions of families.
A Legacy of Philanthropy for a Self-Sufficient Future
RemitHope builds on Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s long philanthropic journey, which began with the Higherlife Foundation in 1996.
Over the years, she has supported hundreds of thousands of children through education and healthcare, showing a deep, long-term commitment to African development.
The initiative brings together her experience and global network with a technological platform to support a new generation of African givers.
By making it easy, transparent, and impactful for members of the diaspora to contribute to community projects, Masiyiwa is promoting a new era of African selself-sufficiency.
She is turning the act of sending money home into a collective investment in the continent’s future, reinforcing the idea that Africa’s strongest resource is its own people.
Early Impact and Future Outlook
Since its launch in July 2025, RemitHope has gained traction, showing its ability to mobilize significant support for community initiatives.
The platform is not just about fundraising; it’s about building a community of givers and doers.
The success of the first campaigns is providing valuable insights, allowing the team to refine its strategy and expand its reach.
By focusing on verified, transparent, and community-driven projects, RemitHope is building a reputation as a trusted and effective channel for giving.
The outlook for RemitHope is positive, with plans to expand across more African countries and grow its network of local partners.
It stands as an example of African initiative and self-determination, showing that with the right platform, the diaspora can play a key role in shaping the continent’s future.
