Tsitsi Masiyiwa—visionary philanthropist and long-time ally of the Africa Philanthropy Confrence. Photo rom APC
As the African Philanthropy Conference (APC) prepares for its 6th edition, set to take place from Sunday, 27 July to Thursday, 31 July 2025 at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt, the spotlight turns to the remarkable founder whose vision gave birth to this transformative pan-African platform.
This year’s theme, “Sustainable Financing for Development in the Majority World,” echoes the enduring spirit of the conference, a space to champion African-led philanthropy and sustainable development solutions.
A Bold Vision for African Philanthropy
The APC was conceptualized in 2017 by Tsitsi Masiyiwa, then Board Chair of the African Philanthropy Forum, who recognized a critical need for a unified platform.
She envisioned a pan-African space where philanthropists, social investors, and civil society leaders could collectively promote African philanthropy, set agendas, and share best practices.
This was about creating a space owned and shaped by Africans, to address the continent’s priorities on their terms.
Mrs. Masiyiwa shared this powerful concept with key partners who would help shape the conference, sparking collaborations that included respected institutions such as CAPSI, the Harvard Center for African Studies, TrustAfrica, and the Southern Africa Trust.
The consortium later grew to include the African Philanthropy Forum (APF), Africa Philanthropy Network (APN), East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), and Mrs. Masiyiwa’s own HigherLife Foundation, further cementing its pan-African reach.
From Concept to Collective Action
The first African Philanthropy Conference was held in 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Rather than replacing individual institutions’ work, APC was created as a collective space for reflection, learning, and collaboration.
A forum where African philanthropic actors could come together to shape the continent’s giving landscape with greater coherence and shared purpose.
Since then, the conference has grown in stature and influence, becoming a vital annual gathering that amplifies African voices and encourages collective problem-solving in philanthropy and development.
Beyond the Conference: A Lifelong Commitment to Africa
While the APC is a flagship achievement, Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s philanthropic impact extends far beyond.
Her journey began in the early 1990s, driven by compassion for vulnerable children, especially those affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zimbabwe.
In 1996, together with her husband Strive Masiyiwa, she co-founded the HigherLife Foundation, which has since supported over 250,000 children with scholarships, mentorship, digital learning platforms, and skills training.
The Foundation’s work ranges from the Capernaum Scholarship for vulnerable children to the Joshua Nkomo Scholarship for gifted students, as well as innovative initiatives like the Ruzivo Digital Learning platform and the Muzinda Hub — a tech incubator fostering youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
In 2017, she established Delta Philanthropies, focusing on impact investing and grant-making to accelerate education, health, rural transformation, and disaster preparedness programs across Africa.
Notably, over 70% of Delta Philanthropies’ investments benefit women and children, highlighting Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s commitment to gender equity and youth empowerment.
Championing African Solutions on the Global Stage
Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s leadership transcends her foundations.
She serves as Board Chair of the END Fund, fighting neglected tropical diseases, and is a founding board member of the African Philanthropy Forum.
Her advocacy for transparency, ethical governance, and African ownership in philanthropy resonates widely, inspiring governments, social entrepreneurs, and global partners to embrace African-led development.
Looking Ahead: The 6th African Philanthropy Conference in Cairo
The upcoming 6th APC will build on her powerful legacy.
The conference promises to deepen conversations around innovative funding models that will drive long-term transformation across Africa and other majority world contexts.
As it convenes, the APC remains true to Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s founding vision: a collaborative, inclusive, and pan-African platform where leaders, innovators, and funders come together to amplify African solutions — locally owned, strategically funded, and globally respected.
