Opinion: Why philanthropic infrastructure investment holds promise for 2025

As we approach 2025, the global community faces a critical juncture where strategic philanthropic investment in infrastructure can redefine development and build a more resilient future. Philanthropists should embrace infrastructure confidently as these projects offer opportunities with lasting social and economic impact and drive sustainable development. For those of us committed to philanthropy, this is not merely a financial choice but a moral imperative to foster lasting and equitable change. To illustrate this transformative potential, organizations such as Delta Philanthropies and Higherlife Foundation have begun translating these principles into concrete action. In collaboration with The Elma Philanthropies and Econet Wireless, they have pioneered a successful philanthropic-public-private partnership, or 3Ps, model for infrastructure investment in Zimbabwe. Through two significant projects, the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, or PHEOC, and the National Emergency Operation Centre, or NEOC, we have seen first-hand the remarkable impact of such collaborative investments. Combining philanthropy, public resources, and private sector expertise has shown remarkable results: Improved emergency response times and faster outbreak containment and control. PHEOC, established with a $1.5 million investment, serves as a centralized coordination hub for public health emergencies in Zimbabwe and is earmarked as a center of excellence for Africa. The center became Zimbabwe’s command center for COVID-19 and effectively manages outbreaks, including cholera and measles, benefiting a population of over 16 million. This facility exemplifies how strategic infrastructure investments can enhance national and regional health security and save lives. Similarly, NEOC, with an investment of $4 million, plays a critical role in disaster management. The center coordinates national and regional efforts for a rapid, efficient, and effective response to any disaster or threat, such as the devastating 2019 Cyclone Idai and the recent 2023/24 El Niño induced drought. While NEOC serves the population of Zimbabwe, it has the potential to benefit more than 363 million people in Southern Africa by being interconnected to the Regional Emergency Operation Centre. Notably, disaster risk reduction training programs under NEOC have reached almost 3 million people, including vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly, in disaster-prone communities, enhancing resilience and building capacity to withstand future shocks. Looking ahead to 2025, several emerging trends make this philanthropic infrastructure investment approach particularly promising. Firstly, the rapid advancement of renewable energy technologies presents opportunities for philanthropies to invest in community-owned solar grids and other clean energy solutions. On the African continent alone, multilateral institutions are poised to support the increase in renewable energy through targeted infrastructure investment, potentially providing clean power to 100 million people currently without access. Secondly, the digital revolution demands urgent attention to connectivity infrastructure. With around one-third of the world’s population still lacking internet access, philanthropic investment in digital infrastructure and literacy programs can unlock unprecedented opportunities. The World Bank estimates that achieving 75% internet penetration in developing countries by 2025 could add $2 trillion to the collective gross domestic product and create 140 million new jobs. Thirdly, climate-resilient infrastructure has become critical for sustainable development. The Global Commission on Adaptation reports that investing $1.8 trillion in climate-adaptive infrastructure between now and 2025 could generate $7.1 trillion in total benefits. To maximize the impact of philanthropic infrastructure investment within the 3Ps model, we must embrace fundamental principles to help build physical structures and pathways to prosperity for communities worldwide: 1. It starts with a shared vision between philanthropy, the government, and the private sector. 2. The government identifies the need and provides necessary resources such as land. 3. Experts analyze the situation to understand the challenges. 4. The philanthropy invests and oversees construction, incorporating sustainable practices. 5. Philanthropy provides operational support and builds local capacity for a defined period. 6. Finally, ownership is transferred to the government or community, ensuring long-term impact and self-reliance. This approach maximizes the value of philanthropic investment by creating lasting infrastructure that benefits communities long-term. Delta Philanthropies’ next investment is in solar mini-grids for major referral hospitals that serve the entire population of Zimbabwe. These mini-grids will provide 24/7 power to improve service delivery and ensure clean energy. This initiative aims to replace diesel generators and candles, providing safety and accelerating access to quality health care to the most vulnerable populations in the nation. These investments will complement existing efforts to improve maternal and newborn health, where the provision of critical maternal and neonatal equipment requires a reliable source of energy. The opportunity is clear: Through strategic infrastructure investment, philanthropy can help create the foundation for equitable, sustainable development in 2025 and beyond. At this crucial juncture, I call upon fellow philanthropists to reimagine their role in global development and adopt innovations that build lasting general impact that can be remembered when we are long gone. The time to act is now!