African philanthropists gains global recognition on 2026 TIME100 list

African philanthropists and Africa-focused development leaders are gaining increasing global recognition after four continent-linked figures and initiatives were highlighted on the 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list.

The list by TIME Magazine celebrates influential individuals shaping the future of giving and social impact worldwide.

This year’s edition spotlighted a growing shift in global philanthropy toward long-term investment in entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and community-driven development.

Kenyan philanthropy executive Alice Kang’ethe was recognised for her role with the Beginnings Fund, a major maternal and newborn health initiative working across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The fund, launched in 2025 with support from major philanthropies including the Gates Foundation, Elma Philanthropies, and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, focuses on reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths by strengthening healthcare systems and improving access to emergency obstetric care.

It operates in countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, working with governments to address key drivers of maternal mortality such as workforce shortages and limited access to critical medical technologies.

The initiative has raised nearly $500 million and approved multiple grants supporting healthcare staffing and innovations, including portable ultrasound tools.

Before her involvement with the fund, Kang’ethe served as Global Chief Operating Officer at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), where she oversaw programmes expanding healthcare access across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Also featured on the list was Tanzanian businessman and philanthropist Mohammed Dewji, widely known as Mo Dewji.

Through the Mo Dewji Foundation, Dewji has funded projects focused on poverty reduction, healthcare, water access and education in underserved communities in Tanzania.

TIME highlighted his long-term commitment to combining business success with community investment, particularly through programmes designed to expand educational opportunities for young Tanzanians.

His Mo Scholars programme continues to attract rising numbers of applicants, reflecting growing demand for educational support and mentorship opportunities among young people in the country.

Among the Nigerian philanthropists recognised were Tony Elumelu and Awele Vivien Elumelu, highlighted for their work through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, one of Africa’s largest entrepreneurship support organisations.

The foundation was launched in 2015 following the couple’s $100 million commitment to empower African entrepreneurs through seed capital, mentorship and business training.

Initially designed to support 1,000 entrepreneurs annually over ten years, the initiative has since expanded significantly beyond its original scope.

Today, more than 27,000 entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries have received direct support through the programme, operating businesses in sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, technology, manufacturing and creative industries.

The foundation has also expanded access through free online entrepreneurship learning platforms after demand for the programme grew into the hundreds of thousands of applications annually, with millions of Africans accessing digital training and mentorship resources.

Previous TIME100 Philanthropy lists have also featured African and Africa-linked philanthropists, including Aliko Dangote, Strive Masiyiwa, and Patrice Motsepe, among others.

The recognition reflects a broader shift in international philanthropy, where African-led ideas and locally driven solutions are receiving greater global visibility and institutional support.

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