Transforming Philanthropy in Africa: Insights from Binaifer Nowrojee’s Lecture

Transforming Philanthropy in Africa: Insights from Binaifer Nowrojee’s Lecture

On 11 March 2025, Binaifer Nowrojee, President of the Open Society Foundations (OSF), delivered a powerful lecture at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Hosted by the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), the lecture and high-level panel explored the potential of philanthropy in addressing Africa’s systemic challenges in a sustainable manner,…

From the Pens of Write-hers: Reflections from the African Women Writing Retreat

From the Pens of Write-hers: Reflections from the African Women Writing Retreat

The published stories of Africa and her people have been predominately framed through Western and often patriarchal lenses. This has resulted in the marginalisation of the perspectives and the misrepresentation of the voices of African women. The limited body of literature by African authors across genres presents an urgency for a landscape which is a…

Reflections from 2024 CAPSI graduates

Zanele Makombe, Masters of Management in African Philanthropy, 2024 My journey began with a restlessness to pursue studies in a field outside my initial focus. During my search for opportunities, I came across the African Philanthropy Masters Programme, which piqued my interest in philanthropy. This new direction felt aligned with my experiences working with nonprofits,…

Adɔyɛ: Profiling the impact of women in African Philanthropy

Thandi Makhubele The Adɔyɛ, Women in African Philanthropy Programme, embedded within CAPSI, continues to make remarkable progress in amplifying the voices and contributions of African women in philanthropy. Rooted in principles of inclusion, collaboration, and transformative leadership, Adɔyɛ is redefining the philanthropic landscape through a distinctly pan-African lens. Over recent months, the programme has achieved…

Publications: Growing the footprint of resources

Publications: Growing the footprint of resources

Xolani Dlamini The current year of 2024, leading to 2025 proves potential for CAPSI to continue contributing to the body of knowledge in various research areas of philanthropy and social investment across Africa and abroad, with new endeavours and different interpretations of the field. In response to perceived challenges faced by early career academics when…

Academic excellence in African Philanthropy: Running while others walk

Academic excellence in African Philanthropy: Running while others walk

Jacob Mati Over a decade ago, the late eminent African political economist, Thandika Mkandawire, invoked the ghost of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in framing his inaugural lecture as the first ever Professor and Chair of African Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science, when he argued that in response to the many challenges …

Tackling youth unemployment: The contributions of the nonprofit sector to African economies project

Tackling youth unemployment: The contributions of the nonprofit sector to African economies project

Wycliffe Ouma, Eleanor Chipeta and Dennis Osei Thanks to a substantive grant received in 2023, our Centre has embarked on a project that aims to research and publish knowledge on the contributions of the nonprofit sector to African economies, with a specific focus on the creation of dignified and fulfilling work for young people living…

Call for Research Abstracts: African Philanthropy Academic Conference

Call for Research Abstracts: African Philanthropy Academic Conference

Call for Abstracts We invite researchers and academics to submit abstracts and research papers to be considered for the inaugural African Philanthropy Academic Conference. Outstanding papers will be considered for publication in the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment Journal. Context Since our inception in 2018, we at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social…

Q&A with Roselyne Cheruiyot

Q&A with Roselyne Cheruiyot

Quote: “Philanthropy can revitalise our communities and our democracy through its transformative potential to address the root causes of problems and have a lasting impact.” How does your research help develop African philanthropy? My research focuses on how social enterprises (SEs) and Non-profit organisations (NPOs) can contribute to resilient urban communities through their service delivery….