International Review of Philanthropy & Social Investment
The International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment is an interdisciplinary academic journal that publishes cutting-edge research on philanthropy and social investment, with a particular focus on Africa. It was established by the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. The journal covers a wide range of topics related to how philanthropy and social investments impact economic development, social welfare, and corporate social responsibility.
Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment
All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence; copyright is retained by the authors. Readers are welcome to reproduce, share and adapt the content without permission, provided the source is attributed. Permission to reproduce copyrighted third-party material, as indicated in articles, should be sought from the copyright holder.
Adapting to Covid-19 : experiences of a philanthropy infrastructure organisation
INTRODUCTION South Africa, as well as the entire world, is facing unprecedented socio-economic consequences, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The South African non-profit sector is likewise especially exposed, as it navigates a host of unintended consequences while ensuring that it continues to support its communities. This thought piece is intended to highlight the challenges and opportunities in unlocking much needed emergency philanthropic funds for the sector through experience as an infrastructure organisation, to those non-profit organisations that play a critical role in South African civil society, and simultaneously advise donors on making philanthropic donations, quickly and safely. CAF Southern Africa (CAFSA) is part of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Global Alliance, a collective of locally led infrastructure organisations, operating across ten countries, each working independently within their specific geographical and country contexts, to advance philanthropy and grow giving, in support of local civil society.
Copyright (c) 2020 International Review of Philanthropy & Social Investment
Unrestricted impact : field note on a mixed-method project studying the effects of unrestricted funding on grantees’ organisational and project impact
This field note is an invitation for interested researchers to join an innovative global study dedicated to describing, analysing, and understanding the ways in which the provision of unrestricted grant funding unfolds in terms of organisational behaviour and project outcomes.
Synergos : philanthropy’s bridging role in the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa
INTRODUCTION Synergos is a global organisation helping to solve complex issues around the world by advancing bridging leadership, which builds trust and collective action. Synergos believes in the power of building trust, which is how it creates regenerative solutions around the world. Synergos operates programmes in Namibia, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia in partnership with government, non-profit organisations, philanthropists and philanthropic organisations on initiatives such as reducing social isolation, improving agriculture, advancing nutrition, refining public health, and supporting social entrepreneurship. It also supports networks of individual leaders in more than a dozen countries on the continent, helping increase their impact by enabling them to connect their intentions with results, build trust, and collaborate with others.
Giving with a purpose : ten years of touching lives by the TY Danjuma Foundation
Over a century ago, Andrew Carnegie, one of the leading figures in philanthropy noted in his Gospel of Wealth, “the problem of our age is the proper administration of wealth, so that the ties of brotherhood may still bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship”. That problem seems ever more real today in the face of rising inequalities. In its 2019 Human Development Report, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted that inequalities remain widespread, reflecting power imbalances across communities. Clearly, there is a greater impetus for philanthropic organisations to be deliberate in tackling inequalities and their impact on those disproportionately affected.
Defending open societies in the context of COVID-19 : the role of philanthropic foundations in responding to the pandemic and the case of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
INTRODUCTION When COVID-19 broke out in China in late 2019, news of how the heavy-handed response by the Chinese government trickled out sparsely, because the information was carefully regulated. The spread of the virus to Europe and the US provided an opportunity for different national experiences and responses to the pandemic. The US and Italy’s laissez-faire response was the opposite of China’s and counter to recommendations by health experts who called for restrictive measures on the population to contain the pandemic. Africa’s primary response to the pandemic was essentially a health and medical one. Africa had the opportunity of being last in line, having not only learnt from China, the US and Europe, but also having the benefit of a better understanding of the virus by scientists. When the pandemic landed in Africa, it found countries already suffering from weak capacities in all spheres – especially health. Hobbled by many years of corruption, poor investments, poor policies, and weak governance it was always clear that COVID-19 threatened to devastate countries in the region.
Corona, the butterfly that flapped its wings
INTRODUCTION “It fell to the floor, an exquisite thing, a small thing that could upset balances and knock down a line of small dominoes and then big dominoes and then gigantic dominoes, all down the years across Time. Eckels’ mind whirled. It couldn’t change things. Killing one butterfly couldn’t be that important! Could it?” Extract from Ray Bradbury’s classic science fiction story, A Sound of Thunder. According to chaos theory, the events that result in global changes are not big events such as wars, natural disasters, despots, dictators, and mass migration. It is rather the tiny things. A butterfly can flap its wings in one part of the world and cause a typhoon elsewhere. This phenomenon, known as the butterfly effect, is an effective lens in viewing and understanding the impact of events on economies, markets, and society. The novel Corona virus, a tiny virus viewed only through an electron microscope, became known as the great pandemic, which laid bare pre-existing social conditions and ambiguities of development and funding in its various forms, shaped and exacerbated by neo-colonialism, neo-liberalism, and current democratic policies and systems.
NGOs activities and local government spending in Upper West region of Ghana : are they complements or substitutes?
There is an increasing interest in the relationship between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local governments in terms of social spending in developing countries. However, the current literature on NGOs and social spending, especially for those pertaining to developing countries and Ghana in particular, does not examine the extent to which NGOs’ presence shapes local authorities’ spending on the provision of basic social amenities. This study examines NGOs’ presence on constituents’ opinion about local government social spending. Using the probit regression estimation approach, this study found that services provided by NGOs might be allowing local government authorities to change their spending patterns and priorities. Thus, the presence of NGOs tends to crowd-out social spending in the Upper West region. To the extent that proliferation of NGOs lowers social spending, local government authorities might also be taking advantage of NGOs operations to neglect their constitutionally mandated responsibility of providing basic social amenities in their communities of practice. This article discusses key implications for policy.
Muazu Ibrahim and Imhotep Paul Alagidede
Analysis of corporate social responsibility of the African ‘internationalisers’ versus non-African founded MNCs
This study analysed the corporate social responsibility (CSR) performances of non-African founded multinational corporations (NAFMNCs) and African founded corporations with transnational footprints (African internationalisers) and the effects of firm features using fixed and random effects estimators. A positive effect of firm age on CSR was found, which was relatively high for African internationalisers (AIs). Being an AI or NAFMNC is a valid factor that separates the CSR performances of the firms. There was no evidence that firm size and profitability determined CSR in both groups of companies, although the full sample results showed some evidence of size effect. CSR showed a positive impact on equity market performance, largely for the NAFMNCs. Firm size had a positive impact on stock price while ageing suggested a negative effect. The effect of profitability on stock price was insignificant. Performances of AIs and NAFMNCs differ across various CSR dimensions and the paper provides implications.
Corporate philanthropy and firm value in Africa : a case study of selected firms in South Africa
This study sought to investigate the relationship between corporate philanthropy and firm value in Africa, using firms listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange as the representative sample. The analysis discovered that only 25 firms had complete data over a short period of 11 years resulting in a panel of 255 firm-year observations. The study established that Corporate Donations in South Africa is moderately nascent but has been growing steadily over the last few years. With only 13 firms involved in corporate donations by the year 2008, the number is found to be ten times by the end of 2018. Using the panel ordinary least squares model, results revealed that four variables, including the corporate social responsibility index, positively influenced firm value. The study also investigated the motives for corporate philanthropy. Results indicated that the book value of a firm, sales revenue size (total assets), leverage, and corporate social responsibility reporting significantly influenced a firm’s decision to donate to charity. The findings indicate that a firm’s participation in charity is a long-term strategic commitment for financial returns to all corporate stakeholders.
Exploring the meanings of philanthropy in rural contexts : the case of Zimbabwe
The role and place of horizontally based forms of philanthropy has not been adequately understood or unexplored. There is very limited information on how ordinary Zimbabweans engage in acts of philanthropy. Is solidarity a part of philanthropy? There are many reasons to suggest that the solidarity evident in associational forms, which entail giving either of time, labour, or financial resources, is a vital dimension of philanthropy. The detailed discussion, through thick case study descriptions, explored the emergence of solidarity-focused associational forms within the newly resettled areas of Zimbabwe.
Institutional philanthropy and popular organising in Africa : some initial reflections from social movement activists
As popular forms of organising increasingly serve as sites for change in Africa, institutionalised private philanthropy, which has generally stayed away from such activist spaces is slowly engaging. While anecdotal knowledge exists, evidence-based analysis on these relationships is scarce. This study explored how African movements experience and see the role and nature of philanthropy in relation to their own functioning and objectives. It highlighted that it is not merely a question of whether it is appropriate for institutional philanthropy to engage, but the ‘how’ of engagement that matters most. As a result, different challenges and limitations emerged. The research reflected critical concerns raised by movements about philanthropic orientation, ideology, and practice, and called for radical mindset shifts from institutional philanthropy – particularly on aspects such as power, control, accountability, and impact – and provided practical observations for consideration.
Gifting and philanthropy environment in contemporary Kenya : agency and structural determinants
Why is giving a ubiquitous human behaviour in Kenya? What shapes Kenyan gifting practices? This paper argues that philanthropic behaviour is a product of multi-directional interactions between individual agency, experiences, and the socio-institutional structures. In Kenya, the socio-institutional structuring results from faith, African philosophical worldviews, the legal environment, and the widespread socioeconomic precariousness. Drawing from existing literature, analysis of legal documents and primary interviews, this paper utilises habitus – durable, transposable dispositions, structured structures and practices – along with Max Weber’s four ideal type rationalities – instrumental, value, affectual and traditional – to explain why the philanthropic landscape in Kenya looks the way it does. It is argued that gifting and philanthropic behaviour is shaped and given form by both individual experiences and the socio-institutional structures within which they emerge.
Editorial : birth of the International Review on Philanthropy and Social Investment
The study of African philanthropy and philanthropy in Africa has gained momentum over the last couple of years, partly due to the increased interest in the field, but also because philanthropy has been thrust at the centre of global and national policy, and the resolution of development challenges facing different African countries. Recently, numerous initiatives have been developed that focus on philanthropy and its multiple expressions in Africa. These span the Philanthropy Secretariat in Liberia (established in 2009), the Rwanda Philanthropy Strategy, the Sustainable Development Goals Platforms in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia, to organisations such as the Africa Philanthropy Network, the African Philanthropy Forum, and the East Africa Philanthropy Network. These initiatives include African foundations such as TrustAfrica, African Women Development Fund, Kenya Community Development Foundation, and the Southern Africa Trust just to mention a few. In addition are foundations established by high net worth individuals (HNWIs) such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Dangote Foundation, the TY Danjuma Foundation, the Higher Life Foundation, and Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, among many others across the continent.
Bhekinkosi Moyo and Imhotep Paul Alagidede
Notes Taken During Operation Restore Hope between March and December 2019
The compilation of field experiences includes description, application and learning (Glass, 2005; Earley, 2007; and Sert and Seedhouse, 2011). Description outlines research strategies, tools and experiences noted during an intervention. Application embodies how these strategies and tools are made to fit research situations, while learning informs future researchers on their use in designing further studies. Zimbabwe has experienced tropical cyclones before Cyclone Idai, but the magnitude of destruction caused by Idai was unprecedented. It hit Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe on March 15–16, 2019. The cyclone impacted Manicaland (east of Zimbabwe) with flooding, rock falls and landslides, leading to significant loss of life, injury, displacement and damage to infrastructure and property in Chimanimani district (The Herald, 2019).
Augustine Savanhu, Simbarashe Show Mazongonda and Moses Machipisa
Copyright (c) 2021 International Review of Philanthropy & Social Investment
Reflections on Baseline Data Collection: Lessons from Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe
Rural societies, economies and the state interact to engineer change for the benefit of the citizenry. Within this set-up, philanthropic organisations act as catalysts of development by supporting on-going programs being implemented by the state, while also bringing in new initiatives. Numerous interventions by philanthropic organisations are underreported yet there is so much to learn from their interventions aimed at catalysing development (Bertaud, 2018; Nkwake, 2020). Bertaud (2018) used the analogy of pollinating insects to explain the indispensable role that organisations must play in acquiring knowledge from areas they operate in and disseminating it widely.
Simbarashe Show Mazongonda, Augustine Savanhu and Musa Muleya
Organized Private Sector Charitable Giving: Reflections and Lessons from the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Initiative in Nigeria
Little research has addressed the charitable activities of Africa’s corporate sector in the context of COVID-19. Focusing on the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a Nigerian organized private sector initiative to support government’s response to COVID-19, we explore lessons and challenges for Africa’s corporate philanthropic efforts to address the region’s development concerns. While CACOVID cannot be fully divorced from the profit-making impulse of leading Nigeria’s private sector brands, it generated significant resources which helped to advance the Nigerian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging lessons from CACOVID include the significance of credible leadership for Africa-led and -owned philanthropy; the immense philanthropic potential of Nigeria’s organized private sector; the continued indifference of local philanthropy to the root causes of marginality and inequity; and the potential risks for similar charitable schemes from ignoring traditional African norms of giving and relying on ungainly and politicized state structures to deliver their activities. Initiatives such as CACOVID would benefit from greater transparency and accountability not just to their initiators, but also, and more importantly, to those whom they purport to serve.
Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima and Chimaraoke Otutubikey Izugbara
International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment
As the field of philanthropy evolves to meet the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the need for rigorous inquiry and actionable insights has never been greater. This issue of the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment marks another step forward in fulfilling our mission to explore the multidimensional nature of philanthropy and social investment, bridging gaps between academic research and practical application.
Copyright (c) 2024 International Review of Philanthropy & Social Investment
Triggers of Liquidity Glut in Central and West African Countries
This study examines the causes of liquidity gluts in Central and West Africa, focusing on the interactions between fiscal policies, external economic shocks, and financial market inefficiencies. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the findings indicate that increased government spending in Ghana promotes borrowing and investment, enhancing economic growth and stability. Conversely, Equatorial Guinea’s dependence on oil revenues hampers effective liquidity utilization for broader economic development, highlighting the importance of sound fiscal policy. Key factors contributing to liquidity challenges include credit extension, government expenditure, and exchange rate fluctuations. The study underscores the urgent need for robust policy frameworks and regional cooperation to address these issues. Policymakers are urged to implement proactive measures, such as tightening monetary policy to control excess liquidity, enhancing central bank monitoring capabilities, and improving the investment climate through infrastructure development and reduced bureaucratic inefficiencies. Additionally, promoting financial inclusion in Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, alongside carefully designed subsidy programs, can help manage liquidity. Developing strong pension fund systems in Rwanda and diversifying economies to mitigate external shocks are also crucial. By prioritizing productive investments and optimizing government expenditure, countries can foster economic stability and sustainable growth in the region. A multifaceted approach that strengthens monetary policy, enhances financial inclusion, and improves public financial management is essential for effectively managing liquidity conditions in Central and West Africa.
Shongwe W. Mbongeni and Imhotep Paul Alagidede
Reporting the dynamics of indigenous philanthropic organisations in Malawi, Namibia and the DRC
Indigenous philanthropic organisations have done much work in Malawi, Namibia, and the DRC. In Malawi and Namibia, the key areas organisations spent money on were education, health, humanitarian, and child protection. Organisations in DRC were spending a lot of money on gender promotion, health, children’s protection, and agriculture. Across all countries, the groups funded the most were children, women, youth, and orphans. Despite the tangible work of the organisations, they encountered many challenges. Lack of funds to undertake their philanthropic work was the major problem. The organisational values, annual revenue and expenditure were much smaller, restricting the size of service provision. Some charitable organisations had no official websites, hence impeding their discoverability. Generally, registering philanthropic organisations in the three countries was not easy, although it could be completed within four months. Amongst the key recommendations, educational institutions should work on having more philanthropic infrastructure support organisations, the enabling role of governments requires more attention (e.g., leveraging technology to make the registration process easier), income generation projects for charity organisations are highly recommended, which may act as a sustainable source of philanthropic funding, yet another source of sustainable financing could be the breeding and grooming of more corporate foundations.
Growing Tree Model: An integrated approach to foundational learning during the COVID-19-induced lockdown
In Zimbabwe, the lockdowns prompted by COVID-19 caused learners to miss an average of six learning hours per week. Following this impact, the Higherlife Foundation introduced a digital learning program called the Growing Tree Model (GTM) to help foundational learners improve their literacy and numeracy skills with a specific focus on English writing, English reading, and mathematics. To evaluate whether there has been an improvement in their performance following the intervention, this study was quasi-experimentally designed by pairing and assessing pre-and-post-intervention scores of 145 learners. The paired samples assessment revealed that the GTM led to a 7% and 8% improvement in learners’ English reading and mathematics performance, respectively. In contrast, their performance in English writing declined by around 2%. The results suggest that the GTM led to a statistically significant improvement in learners’ performance in English reading and mathematics only, explained by a p-value of less than 0.05 (p<0.05) in these two intervention constructs. It is, therefore, recommended that the: education ministry support the development and uptake of digital learning platforms beyond the crisis period; and, if possible, partner with the Department of Social Welfare to train caregivers on basic knowledge of early childhood development and operationalizing digital learning platforms since most of them facilitated learners in having growing tree lessons yet they are not skilled in that area. Furthermore, the teaching approaches for English writing in the GTM can be refined since the platform led to a decline in learners’ performance in that intervention construct. This paper contributes to pedagogical literature on the intersection between foundational learning, digital educational tools, and learning under non-ideal conditions by showing what worked and what failed to work in the context of the GTM.
Simbarashe Show Mazongonda and Raymond Chipfakacha
How distance and technology affected philanthropy in Kenya: A review of the journey of Harambee
This paper studies how a form of African philanthropy practiced in Kenya known as ‘Harambee’, which loosely translates to “pulling together, " has changed over the four commonly distinctive periods (epochs) in the country’s history. It argues that increasing physical and psychological distance between giver and receiver occasioned mainly by internal and international migration has changed the approach to Harambee. In addition, the analyses establishes the interplay between distance and technology affects, what, how, and why people give. The study finds that technological advancements moderate the effects of physical and psychological distance and review the mode and scope of giving, while migrations combined with technology create a ‘new sense of communities’, thus expanding the meaning of psychosocial distance.
Tom Mboya Were, Paul Kamau, Sara Kinsbergen and Dirk-Jan Koch
Reimagining Philanthropy and Social Investment in Africa – A Call for Depth, Inclusion, and Innovation
Philanthropy and social investment in Africa stand at a crossroads, where historical legacies, present realities, and future possibilities intersect. This edition of the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment presents a collection of scholarly works that explore the evolution, challenges, and opportunities in African philanthropy, highlighting its dynamic and multifaceted nature. As the continent navigates pressing socio -economic and environmental challenges, the role of philanthropy as a driver of systemic change becomes more critical. Through these contributions, the volume calls for a more contextualized, inclusive, and innovative approach to philanthropy, one that reclaims African traditions, aligns with local realities, and embraces new paradigms of giving and social investment.
Copyright (c) 2025 International Review of Philanthropy & Social Investment
Rural transformation in the Global South: Livelihood shocks, Diversification and Household well-being
Rural livelihoods in developing countries are increasingly detached from agriculture and, by extension, from land-based activities. Households diversify their livelihood portfolios in response to the vulnerability of poverty and its multifaceted consequences. Grounded in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, this study examines the determinants of rural livelihood diversification and its subsequent impact on household well-being in the Global South. This study differentiates between voluntary and involuntary drivers of diversification, identifying key factors such as the household asset base, market imperfections, seasonality of poverty, and demographic variables (including education, age, gender, and household size) as critical determinants of livelihood diversification at the household level. The findings underscore that while the diversification of rural livelihoods generally fosters household resilience to economic and environmental shocks, contributing to enhanced income, food security, asset accumulation, and child welfare, it also carries certain negative repercussions. These include the exacerbation of social stratification, widening of income disparities, and the reinforcement of gender-based inequalities. In light of these findings, it is crucial for developing countries to develop policy frameworks that promote livelihood diversification to address household poverty. Governments should facilitate investment in rural infrastructure development, improve technology and skills, and expand rural credit schemes.
South African National Health Insurance Policy Process 2007-2019 : Private and third-sector lessons for BRICS Countries
This paper examines the South African National Health Insurance (NHI) policy process from 2007 to 2019, focusing on the lack of implementation and the limited involvement of the private sector and civil society. Using summative thematic content analysis and applying the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), the study investigates factors contributing to delays in policy execution. Key findings include challenges in evidence-based policymaking, value judgments, ideological influences, interest group power, misunderstandings of incremental and non-incremental reforms, lack of risk analysis, and compliance issues. The research provides valuable lessons and recommendations for improving NHI policy processes in BRICS countries, emphasising the role of the private and third sectors, regardless of the government’s level of involvement. This analysis offers insights into the complexities of achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and the importance of inclusive, collaborative reform strategies.
Neville Mangwiro, Precious Tirivanhu and Wilfred Lunga
The role of African feminist philanthropy in effecting change in the working conditions of women in the South African mining industry: A literature review
This literature review examines the potential of African feminist philanthropy to improve the working conditions of women in South Africa’s mining industry. Despite legislative measures promoting gender equality, female miners continue to face significant challenges, including discrimination, harassment, and inadequate facilities. This review investigates how African feminist philanthropy, grounded in solidarity and collective action principles, can address these issues. Key themes encompassed the status of women in mining, barriers to gender transformation, and African feminist philanthropic models. The findings indicate that African feminist philanthropy, focusing on African-led solutions and intersectionality, could potentially drive substantive changes. However, further research is required regarding their practical implementation.
Strategic responses to digital transformation of African non-profits: Developing competencies to achieve the social mission
Demand for the social services that sub-Saharan African (African) non-profits deliver has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic, amid rapidly changing global socio-technological shifts towards digitalization. Nonetheless, they have failed to respond effectively and stay competitive since they lack sufficient digitalization competencies that will enable them to transform and improve organisational performance. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap in the literature for a conceptual model that identifies the competency requirements of African non-profits and propose how to develop them. We collated, evaluated and synthesized literature from peer reviewed international journals and similarly reliable documentary sources to identify 18 core competencies underpinned by human capital theory. We then integrated them with CIMO-logic from design science research as the analytical tool. This resulted in a conceptual process model, design propositions to guide implementation, and fresh insights for researchers to contextualize the competency development process. The paper adds value to human capital theory, and makes actionable recommendations for policymakers, business, practitioners and other stakeholders.
Asabea Shirley Ahwireng-Obeng and Frederick Ahwireng-Obeng Wits
Leveraging social networks and philanthropy for climate action: Insights from Botswana
Philanthropic organizations are increasingly viewed as key players in advancing climate action and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their interactions and networks with local communities, particularly in vulnerable regions, are critical for fostering effective climate adaptation strategies. This study explores the social networks, innovation, and dynamics between philanthropic organizations and smallholder farming communities in Botswana to facilitate climate adaptation for vulnerable populations. Guided by social network theory and qualitative methods, including 11 in-depth interviews, the research examines the interactions, social support, and interdependence between these stakeholders. The findings reveal that the networks are dynamic and driven more by shared interests in climate action than financial incentives. Indigenous systems of adaptation were found to be more readily accepted by farming communities compared to externally imposed, Western solutions. While farming communities play a crucial role in shaping philanthropic activities, the impact of these initiatives remains constrained by bureaucratic hurdles and the informal nature of the networks. Moreover, some interventions require governmental authority and resources to address systemic challenges effectively and achieve scalability. The study also highlights the innovative ideas and climate adaptation strategies emerging from the farming communities, which are well-received locally but lack the structural support for broader implementation. These findings address significant research gaps related to sustainable development in indigenous and developing communities like Botswana. Practically, the research provides actionable insights for practitioners and philanthropic organizations, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the human aspect of societal outcomes to drive effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
‘Understudied and under-theorized?’ – Exploring the history, concepts and evolution of African Philanthropy
In recent years the African continent has been witnessing a notable increase in High-Net worth Individuals (HNWIs), a growing body of scholarly work, and a maturing network of philanthropy practitioners and institutions. Despite these developments, the history, foundational values and role of African philanthropy in political, social and economic development remains peripheral in dominant global narratives in both practice and academia (Breeze and Moody, 2016; Fowler and Mati, 2019). With major academic works on philanthropy emanating mainly from the United States of America and Europe and the most established philanthropic foundations also originating from the same regions, little focus has been trained on Africa as a contributor to the knowledge and practice of philanthropy . It has even been contended that Africa is a ’ Dark Continent’ (Jarosz, 1992) which is more a beneficiary of philanthropy rather than a contributor to the study and practice of giving and human development (Mati, 2016). Such assertions have however taken scant account of the genealogy , notions and practices of giving in Africa. This article collates and provides a chronological analysis of literature on the history, conceptual foundations and utility of African philanthropy in the development of diverse societies from the pre-colonial era to date. Empirical data from mainly African sources demonstrates that philanthropy has been intricately intertwined with the development of African societies from the pre-colonial era. The article also finds complex insights and concepts on African philanthropy that merit more in-depth study and dissemination.
Music as Cultural Technologies of Political Mediation in Mali and Niger
Over the past recent decades, the roles of arts and artistic performances have gained a new significance in the scholarship on social movements in Africa. This scholarship scrutinizes the political significance of arts and popular artistic performances to political mediation. Informed by these scholarly works, this article examines the narratives by which the musicians politicize two interrelated alguitara musical practices in northern Mali and Niamey, Niger. One sheds light on how the musicians of the music festival known as the festival du désert relate this event to the quest of social consensus between ethnics groups in northern Mali. They also situate the festival du désert as a political movement contesting the theocratic project of the Al-Qaida and the Islamic state-affiliated armed groups since 2012.The other alguitara practice in focus here addresses the popular performances of the music group dagh tenere by which the Tuareg refugees from Mali in Niamey call for intra Tuareg consensus in their regions of orgin. An ethnolographic analysis of these musical practices as forms of political mediation and social movement, I submit, futhers scholarly understanding of how ordinary people labor to contribute to building social consensus and assert disagreements in one of the world’s most conflicted regions today. The result of the analysis affords a non state centric perspective on civil society in Africa.
Copyright (c) 2026 International Review of Philanthropy & Social Investment
Nonprofits’ role in the delivery of social services: A bibliometric analysis
This study explores the evolving field of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and their role in delivering social services, focusing on research trends from 1990 up to June 2024. It aims to examine scholarly trends, prevalent topics, and global contributions. Utilising bibliometric techniques – such as keyword co-occurrence and co-authorship network analysis – and the PRISMA framework for screening, we analysed 280 documents retrieved from Scopus. Findings revealed a significant increase in publications on NPOs and social services across various regions. The thematic landscape has evolved from foundational concepts in social service delivery to emerging topics such as advocacy, social capital, governance, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service provision. The study highlights the importance of international collaboration, interdisciplinary approach, and diverse funding sources in advancing NPO research. Additionally, it underscores the critical need to understand the interplay between NPO advancements and the broader social service ecosystem. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, emphasising the necessity of adaptive and ongoing research to effectively harness the potential of NPOs while addressing regulatory and operational challenges. This study enriches the academic discourse and informs policy development in the dynamic field of NPOs and social services. Limitations include reliance on Scopus and specific search terms, which may omit relevant studies.