Africa has the capacity to support progress toward sustainable development, and local philanthropy must become part of the development and humanitarian landscape.
The continent is getting richer. From startups to manufacturing, Africa is seeing a surge in private investment — and a corresponding expansion of personal wealth. Combined with rising rates of higher-education enrollment, a new generation of entrepreneurs harnessing technology, and the world’s youngest population, Africa’s growing affluence could help move hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in the coming decade.
Yet this burgeoning prosperity is overshadowed by a spate of government debt crises and cuts in international aid that together have reduced funding for essential health care, education, and infrastructure — the bedrock for transformational economic development. Local philanthropy can help plug the gap.
About the authors
Dr. Otto Chabikuli
Dr. Otto Chabikuli is FHI 360’s vice president of the eastern and southern Africa region, where he oversees work focused on health, civil society strengthening, livelihoods and economic strengthening, education, environment, research, and youth development. Chabikuli is a family physician and health systems and policy analyst.
Constance Shumba
Dr. Constance Shumba has worked with several global health agencies in Africa and Asia over the last 19 years, leading the design and delivery of complex gender-responsive cross-sectoral programs in fragile settings. She has made distinctive contributions to health systems strengthening in evolving demographic, economic and disease contexts.
