In 2025, the Director’s Office continued to drive a portfolio of strategic initiatives that reinforce the role of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) as a leading hub for African-led knowledge production and philanthropic sector development.
Advancing Scholarship: Muslim Philanthropy in Africa
A flagship project currently underway is a new edited volume on Muslim Philanthropy in Africa, produced in collaboration with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
The publication features regionally grounded chapters from Southern, Northern, Eastern, Western, and Central Africa, with the aim of capturing local realities while contributing meaningfully to both scholarly discourse and philanthropic practice across the continent.
Thought Leadership and Public Engagement
The year was marked by several high-profile public lectures and convenings that advanced critical dialogue on philanthropy, governance, and the future of Africa. Notable events included:
- A public lecture by Binaifer Nowrojee, President of the Open Society Foundations
- A public lecture by Camille Massey, President of Synergos
- A public lecture by Arthur Mutambara, Director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge at the University of Johannesburg
- The Africa Youth Future-Forward Summit, which convened youth leaders and stakeholders to explore pathways for inclusive and sustainable futures
Donor Engagement and Strategic Partnerships
Alongside its research and convening work, CAPSI deepened donor engagement by convening funders during the African Philanthropy Conference, creating space to align on shared priorities and strengthen long-term collaboration.
New academic partnerships also expanded CAPSI’s research agenda into cross-cutting global themes such as artificial intelligence and the Sustainable Development Goals, positioning the Centre at the forefront of emerging debates shaping philanthropy and development practice.
Capacity Building Across the Continent
Capacity development remained a core focus of the Director’s Office. In August 2025, CAPSI co-sponsored a two-day fundraising workshop that brought together approximately 50 delegates representing coalitions, foundations, non-profit organisations, trusts, associations, chambers of commerce, empowerment organisations, and development initiatives.
Participants came from South Africa, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, reflecting strong regional diversity and gender balance. The workshop equipped participants with practical tools to design and implement more sustainable and resilient fundraising strategies within their organisations.
Strengthening Africa’s Philanthropic Ecosystem
Taken together, these initiatives underscore the Director’s Office’s ongoing commitment to:
- Strengthening African-led scholarship
- Deepening strategic partnerships
- Building organisational resilience across Africa’s philanthropic ecosystem
