For decades, Africa’s development trajectory has been heavily influenced by external aid. While such assistance has and continues to address many immediate needs, it is driven by the policies of the donating countries and often lacks alignment with local priorities, leading to disconnect from the communities they aimed to serve, demonstrating the importance of Africans reclaiming African philanthropy.

With national priorities changing every time, coupled with cyclical political and leadership changes, it is not uncommon to find donor-funded programmes having to change their priorities midstream. In recent years, we have seen the traditional Western donors putting their national interests first and increasingly cutting down on their aid budgets to Africa.

As donor funding to Africa continues to decline, the stark reality is setting in, Africa must mobilise its own resources and cultivate a culture of homegrown philanthropy to secure a sustainable and self-determined future, reclaiming African philanthropy. This moment of shifting global priorities is not just a challenge, it is an invitation to African governments, private sector actors, and individuals of means to step up and invest in the continent’s potential.

Local resource mobilisation is more than a funding strategy; it is a moral imperative that reflects ownership, accountability, and long-term commitment to the communities we serve. When African citizens invest in African solutions, the impact is not only deeper but more enduring.

As we look toward the CorpsAfrica All-Country Conference 2025, slated for Nairobi this June that will bring together 1,000 stakeholders including youth from 10 African countries for a week of mutual learning and innovative exchanges, the message is clear, Africa’s development will have to be led and funded by Africans.

CorpsAfrica’s model, that seeks to reclaim African philanthropy and empower young Africans to serve in under-resourced communities within their own countries, offers a bold departure from conventional development paradigms. While mobilising local resources, volunteers live in under-served communities and work together to identify local needs and assets towards co-creating and co-designing small-scale but high-impact projects.

Read the full article about reclaiming African philanthropy by Samora Otieno at EnviroNews Nigeria.