More funding is needed for Climate philanthropy in Africa. Photo illustration by AI
Philanthropic giving for climate and environmental causes is expanding across many parts of the world, according to the 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index, published by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
While the trend is encouraging in high-income countries, the report finds that Africa continues to face structural limitations that hinder the growth of climate-focused philanthropy.
The report assesses the philanthropic landscape in 91 countries and territories spanning the period from 2022 to 2024.
Among its observations is the increasing recognition of climate action as a philanthropic priority.
In multiple regions, there is a need for stronger policy, legal, and financial frameworks to support this shift in lower-income countries, including those in Africa.
Global Trends in Climate Philanthropy
Environmental philanthropy is gaining visibility globally.
The report notes that in high-income countries, particularly in North America and Western Europe, donors are increasingly placing a greater emphasis on sustainability and climate change.
This includes both institutional and individual giving.
In these regions, philanthropy is increasingly directed toward disaster preparedness, renewable energy, and biodiversity protection.
The growing prevalence of natural disasters, particularly in Australia and North America, has further encouraged private giving in this area.
The report states:
“The growing threats of climate change and natural disasters have prompted more donors to consider environmental causes as part of their philanthropic portfolios” (2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index, p. 16).
In countries with enabling legal and tax environments, such as Germany, the United States, and Australia, philanthropic institutions are more likely to support climate action through grant-making, partnerships, and cross-border funding mechanisms.
Africa’s Philanthropic Priorities Remain Narrow
In contrast, the report finds that in most Sub-Saharan African countries, philanthropic giving remains focused on immediate needs such as health care, education, and poverty alleviation.
While important, these focus areas tend to overshadow environmental or climate-related causes, which are often viewed as less urgent.
The report observes that environmental philanthropy in the region is not yet well-developed.
It attributes this to limited public awareness, weak institutional capacity, and restrictive legal environments.
Specifically, it states:
“In low-income regions, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, climate and environmental philanthropy remains limited, with most philanthropic actors prioritizing health, education, and food security over long-term climate adaptation and mitigation strategies” (p. 21).
Barriers to Growth
The Index outlines several factors contributing to this limited engagement.
- Legal and Regulatory Challenges
Many African countries lack specific legal frameworks that encourage environmental giving.
Tax benefits for climate-related donations are rare, and where they exist, they are often difficult to access or not well publicized.
In some countries, restrictive policies toward civil society organizations make it difficult for environmental NGOs to register, receive funds, or operate freely.
These limitations hinder both local fundraising and cross-border support.
- Cross-Border Giving Restrictions
A recurring theme in the report is the complexity of cross-border giving.
In several African countries, organizations face significant challenges when attempting to receive international donations, particularly for environmental work.
The report highlights that:
“In some regions, stringent currency control regulations and complex registration requirements make it difficult for international climate philanthropies to support local environmental organizations directly” (p. 22).
This leads to a situation where much of the climate-related funding directed at Africa bypasses grassroots actors, flowing instead through international NGOs or development agencies.
- Weak Institutional Ecosystems
Unlike in more mature philanthropic markets, Africa lacks regional philanthropic networks focused on environmental funding.
The absence of intermediaries, donor collaboratives, and dedicated climate giving platforms reduces the visibility of climate philanthropy and inhibits knowledge exchange.
Emerging Signals of Change
Despite these limitations, the report identifies modest shifts that suggest growing awareness of climate-related philanthropy in Africa.
In several countries, philanthropic actors are beginning to explore how climate change intersects with existing priorities such as food security and public health.
Although still in early stages, these efforts may serve as a foundation for more robust climate engagement in the future.
Furthermore, international donors are showing increased interest in climate justice and locally led adaptation efforts.
The report notes that the effectiveness of these efforts will depend largely on whether African governments and institutions take steps to improve their philanthropic environments.
Recommendations for Expanding Climate Philanthropy
The 2025 Index does not provide a separate chapter on climate philanthropy but integrates relevant recommendations throughout its analysis of regional and global trends.
These include:
- Improving Legal Frameworks: Governments are encouraged to adopt or revise tax laws to incentivize donations toward environmental causes.
- Enabling Cross-Border Giving: Streamlining registration processes and clarifying currency regulations would make it easier for international philanthropists to support African climate efforts.
- Strengthening Civic Space: Safeguarding the rights of environmental NGOs and activists is essential for growing trust and investment in climate philanthropy.
- Supporting Infrastructure: Developing national and regional platforms to coordinate climate funding and share best practices could help build a stronger climate philanthropy ecosystem.
The report concludes:
“Without reforms to legal, financial, and civic systems, many countries risk being excluded from the emerging global momentum toward climate-focused philanthropy” (p. 22).
A Critical Juncture
While Africa faces significant structural barriers, the 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index emphasizes that these challenges are not insurmountable.
With targeted reforms and greater international cooperation, the continent has the potential to expand its role in the climate philanthropy space.
The report stops short of offering region-specific case studies, but it suggests that broader systemic improvements would create an environment where African-led climate initiatives could thrive.
In a world increasingly shaped by climate risk, inclusive and equitable climate philanthropy will be essential.
Africa, home to some of the most climate-vulnerable communities, cannot afford to be left behind.
