Photo; CAPSI
At a time when Africa is faced with a growing youth population, widening inequality, and shifting global funding flows, the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) has marked a decade of work aimed at reshaping how the continent understands and practices giving.
The centre, based at Wits Business School in South Africa, turns 10 in 2026, reflecting on its journey from a small academic chair into a continental platform linking research, policy, and practice in philanthropy.
Established in 2016, CAPSI focuses on African-led approaches to philanthropy and social investment.
Over the years, it has expanded its reach, bringing together scholars, funders, policymakers, and practitioners while pushing for African perspectives to feature more in global development conversations.
Its work has increasingly focused on large-scale research and partnerships across the continent, with projects touching on youth employment, women’s leadership, sustainable development, and systems change.
CAPSI Director Bhekinkosi Moyo said the past decade has been about redefining how philanthropy is understood on the continent.
“Over the past decade, CAPSI has helped to reframe African philanthropy, not as an act of charity, but as a powerful expression of agency, solidarity, and systemic change,” he said.
“As we look ahead, our focus is on deepening this work and ensuring that African voices continue to shape the future of development on the continent.”
The centre is also aligned with broader continental and global frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
A key part of CAPSI’s growth has been its evolution beyond academia.
What began as a research-focused initiative now includes academic programmes, short courses, and high-level convenings such as the African Philanthropy Conference, which brings together actors from across sectors to discuss trends shaping the field.
One of its research efforts has focused on what it describes as “dignified and fulfilling work” for young people.
Conducted across 17 African countries, the study examines both the opportunities within the non-profit sector and the structural challenges that continue to limit youth employment.
Rather than stopping at publication, the centre has sought to make its findings more accessible.
Initiatives such as a pan-African youth competition have encouraged participants to translate research into creative formats, including podcasts and digital storytelling, broadening how knowledge is shared.
With Africa’s youth population projected to grow significantly in the coming decades, CAPSI says the question of meaningful work is becoming increasingly urgent.
The centre’s influence is also visible in its efforts to shape leadership.
Through its academic and executive programmes, it has built a network of alumni working across government, civil society, philanthropy, and the private sector.
These programmes emphasize systems thinking and grounding development work in African realities.
Initiatives such as Adɔyɛ, meaning “Love in Action,” have further focused on women’s leadership, highlighting contributions that are often overlooked in both formal institutions and community settings.
Academic Director Jacob Mati said the centre’s strength lies in connecting different areas of work.
“Our work sits at the intersection of research, teaching, and practice,” he said.
“Over the past ten years, we have built a body of knowledge that is both academically rigorous and deeply rooted in African realities.”
As it enters its second decade, the centre says its priorities will include expanding partnerships across Africa, deepening its work on youth livelihoods and the future of work, and advancing women’s leadership in philanthropy.
It also plans to explore emerging issues such as the role of artificial intelligence and ethics in development.
At an institutional level, Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, described CAPSI as an example of African-led scholarship with global relevance.
“Over the past decade, it has established itself as a leading centre of excellence, not only on the continent but increasingly in global conversations on philanthropy, development, and social investment,” he said.
The milestone, organisers say, is as much about looking forward as it is about reflecting on the past, with a continued focus on ensuring African knowledge and leadership remain central to development conversations on the continent and beyond.
