A highlight on our annual calendar is the African Philanthropy Conference. This is a gathering of the continent’s philanthropic institutions and stakeholders that we are delighted to co-host alongside TrustAfrica, Africa Philanthropy Forum, African Philanthropy Network, East Africa Philanthropy Network and Southern Africa Trust.
Since 2019, the Conference has served as a platform for sharing of experiences, collective reflection and the development of progressive sectoral practices for the continent. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to nurture networks while supporting research that will accelerate the understanding of the complexities that aid the maturity of the fields of African philanthropy and social investment.
The 2023 edition of the Conference will be hosted under the theme of “African Philanthropy at an Inflection Point”. Using the dimensions of People, Power, Policy and Practice, delegates can look forward to a programme that will see the unravelling of the issues that lie within the theme and devise the future for philanthropy on the continent.
The Conference will be held in 2 formats: namely the 4th African Philanthropy Conference and the 2nd African Philanthropy Academic Conference. These will take place as bilingual and in-person events in Saly and Dakar Senegal, respectively.
As all roads lead to Senegal, we invite practitioners and organisations working on the continent to consider the opportunity to curate a panel on a topic that aligns with the Conference theme.
2nd African Philanthropy Academic Conference
Date: Monday 31 July to Tuesday 1 August 2023
Location: Museum of African Civilisations, Dakar, Senegal
4th African Philanthropy Conference
Date: Wednesday 2 August to Friday 4 August 2023
Location: Palm Beach Hotel, Saly, Senegal
Registration for the conferences is open with the contribution of US$300 granting you access to both conferences. We invite you to register at on the official conference website.
In the build-up to the Conference, we co-hosted a panel discussion on the topic of ‘African Philanthropy meets European Philanthropy to shape a sustainable future’ with TrustAfrica during the recent Philea Forum hosted in Croatia.
The discussion was facilitated by Gerry Salole with panel contributions from Janet Mawiyoo of Galvanizing Africa, Nathalie Delapalme of the Mo Ibrahm Foundation, Muleya Mwananyanda of UNAids and Axelle Davezac of Fondation de France.
Panelists addressed questions on what the strategic policy considerations that address climate change, democracy and inequality in Africa are. Panelists also reflected on the collaborations and intersectionalities that would offer modern and sustainable solutions for African philanthropy. The insights on values, governance, and sustainability that were shared during the discussion fuelled excitement about the African Philanthropy Conference.
We are grateful to Philea Forum for availing this unique platform, and to the attendees who participated so generously.
Bhekinkosi with Margery Daniels, Executive Director of ISTR
During the panel discussion
