NYU Abu Dhabi
Africa and Asia are expected to drive the next great surge in global philanthropy, according to a landmark study by NYU Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Philanthropy Initiative (SPI).
The study was launched at SPI’s Symposium on the Evolution of Strategic Philanthropy in the MENA Region, hosted in Abu Dhabi.
The event convened leaders from philanthropy, academia, and business to explore how the UAE and the wider region can strengthen their role as hubs for strategic giving.
The report, A Comparative Study of Strategic Philanthropy in MENA and Beyond, finds that 89% of global experts anticipate the most significant growth in giving over the next 25 years to come from Africa and Asia, including the Middle East.
This projection comes at a pivotal moment: the world is preparing for the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history, estimated at $68 trillion over the next decade.
For Africa, the report underscores an unprecedented opportunity to harness emerging wealth for sustainable social impact.
Within the MENA region and Africa alone, the expected transfer exceeds $1 trillion, positioning the continent as a growing influence on global giving trends.
Strategic philanthropy in focus
The SPI report identifies 12 themes shaping modern philanthropy, from funder collaboratives and prize philanthropy, to “big bet” giving and the integration of corporate social responsibility with ESG frameworks.
These trends signal the need for philanthropic systems that are collaborative, transparent, and results-oriented.
Fabio Piano, Interim Vice Chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of research and evidence in guiding philanthropic action:
“Through the Strategic Philanthropy Initiative, NYU Abu Dhabi is contributing to a deeper understanding of how generosity can be harnessed to address the world’s most pressing challenges. This symposium reflects our commitment to convening diverse perspectives, fostering rigorous research, and building knowledge for greater societal impact.”
For Africa, which has long-standing traditions of community-based giving and faith-inspired generosity, the opportunity lies in scaling these practices with modern strategic frameworks.
The study emphasizes that unlocking this potential will require enabling policy, trusted intermediaries, and stronger data infrastructure to ensure philanthropy delivers measurable and scalable impact.
Lessons from global hubs
At the SPI symposium in Abu Dhabi, speakers highlighted how structured, strategic philanthropy can be harnessed to address pressing social and development challenges.
H.E. Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy and SPI Founding Patron, said:
“In the UAE, philanthropy is not an afterthought it is embedded in our value system and a strategic pillar of national progress. I see our role as a global convening hub that links public ambition to private capital and community insight.”
“From the UAE, we are building the data, governance, and high‑trust partnerships that turn generosity into measurable change across the world.”
Their insights underscore the broader lessons for Africa: with growing wealth, the continent needs infrastructure, data, and trusted frameworks to translate generosity into lasting societal outcomes.
Africa’s opportunity
Africa’s projected growth in giving is not just about wealth; it’s about shaping impact. Philanthropists and social investors can leverage local knowledge, community networks, and innovative funding models to tackle urgent challenges in education, health, climate resilience, and social equity.
Simplifying regulation, improving data collection, and establishing high‑trust intermediaries are essential steps to maximize the effectiveness of philanthropic capital.
By adopting and adapting global trends including collaborative funds, “big bet” philanthropy, and alignment with ESG principles African actors can ensure that philanthropy is strategic, accountable, and results-driven.
The SPI symposium reinforced the UAE’s role as a hub for convening philanthropy while positioning Africa as a critical frontier for the next generation of giving. With an anticipated surge in wealth and an evolving ecosystem of donors, intermediaries, and social enterprises, Africa is poised not just to participate in, but to lead the next era of strategic, transparent, and high-impact philanthropy.
About the Strategic Philanthropy Initiative (SPI) at NYU Abu Dhabi
Launched in 2021, SPI advances the understanding and practice of strategic philanthropy across the Gulf and MENA region.
Its work spans research, convening, and education, focusing on data-driven insights, collaborative platforms, and talent development to strengthen regional philanthropic infrastructure. H.E. Badr Jafar serves as SPI’s founding patron.
About NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi is a comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East, operated by New York University.
It integrates a selective undergraduate curriculum with advanced research across disciplines, serving students from over 120 countries and forming part of NYU’s global network in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai.
