From peer-reviewed journals to flagship research reports, Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) continues to expand and shape the evidence base on African philanthropy and social investment.
Over the past year, the Centre has further strengthened its position as a leading knowledge hub through a growing portfolio of publications, research partnerships, and scholarly collaborations. Together, these efforts deepen understanding of how philanthropy operates across diverse African contexts and how it contributes to social and economic transformation.
Research Reports and Knowledge Translation
The Research Reports Spotlight Series continues to surface key findings from CAPSI studies, sparking critical conversations on philanthropy, social investment, and sustainable development.
Forthcoming publications include:
- Research supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York focusing on philanthropy, climate change, and sustainability
- New collaborative research produced with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Centre on African Public Spaces and the Wits School of Governance
These reports contribute to applied, policy-relevant knowledge that supports practitioners, policymakers, and scholars alike.
Peer-Reviewed Scholarship and Academic Engagement
CAPSI continues to grow its portfolio of peer-reviewed research outputs, with articles published independently and in collaboration with researchers across the continent. Contributions from both scholars and practitioners are actively encouraged, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to inclusive and African-led knowledge production.
Selected articles are available here:
https://www.capsi.wits.ac.za/research-articles
The International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment (IRPSI) remains central to CAPSI’s scholarly work. The journal advances critical debates through special issues focused on African civil society, social entrepreneurship, and indigenous resource mobilisation.
Documenting Africa’s Philanthropic Diversity
CAPSI’s research reports continue to document the diversity of philanthropic forms, actors, and practices across the continent. These include studies on:
- High-net-worth giving and foundations
- Country-level philanthropy ecosystems
- Localised and indigenous forms of giving and social investment
Together, these publications contribute to a growing African-centred narrative on philanthropy and social investment.
Youth, Work, and the Non-Profit Sector
A major addition to this body of work is CAPSI’s multi-country research on dignified and fulfilling work for Africa’s youth. Spanning 17 countries, this programme includes more than ten published country-level literature reviews to date, with additional reports forthcoming.
Collectively, these studies significantly strengthen national and regional evidence on youth employment, the future of work, and the role of the non-profit sector in creating meaningful livelihoods.
Research reports can be accessed here:
https://www.capsi.wits.ac.za/research-reports
Advancing African-Led Knowledge
Through its expanding portfolio of publications, CAPSI continues to:
- Strengthen scholarly publishing on African philanthropy
- Widen access to policy-relevant and practitioner-focused evidence
- Support African-led research agendas that shape discourse, practice, and decision-making across the continent
