Unlocking Africa’s Potential: My Takeaways from the “New Financing Models for Social Change” Masterclass
| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
What an insightful afternoon it was on Tuesday, 10 June 2025! Before the main programme of the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference began, I had the privilege of participating in a fascinating Masterclass titled “Co-Create: Building New Financing Models for African Social Impact.” Expertly coordinated by Willeke van Rijn, The Resource Alliance, Dorothy Adebanjo, Harambee Ubuntu, Ogo Chukwudi, Trust Africa, the session opened my eyes to the incredible potential and innovative spirit across the continent.
More Than a Buzzword
One of my biggest takeaways? For African organisations, income diversity is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. We learned that India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework generates a staggering $2.5 billion annually, with companies required to allocate 2% of their income. This highlighted the urgency for African organisations to go beyond traditional fundraising and pursue sustainable financing options.
The discussions centred around broadening our horizons, embracing social enterprise, impact investing, blended finance, and even exploring concepts like ‘angel social bonds.’
Leadership, Collaboration, and Indigenous Giving
To transition to these models, bold and courageous leadership is essential, leadership that champions collaboration and co-creation. A recurring theme was the need to tap into Africa’s own traditions of giving. Indigenous giving practices are already embedded in our daily lives, and they can form the bedrock of homegrown, sustainable financing systems.
Real-World Inspiration
We heard compelling stories from across the continent:
- Grace Maingi, Executive Director of the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), shared how they established an endowment fund, enabling Kenyans to finance their own development through a separate investment company.
- Ronika Mumbire, the Executive Director of Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau (ZWB), a 46-year-old organisation, has reinvented itself by launching a social enterprise. They have turned unused resources like a training centre into income-generating assets and are exploring new models, such as a GBV centre that offers entrepreneurial training for survivors.
These examples underscore a critical point: sustainable financing models must incorporate earned income streams and a shift to entrepreneurial-minded approaches.
Data, Governance, and Partnerships
Victor Omurunga from KPMG East Africa shared how the firm is playing a matchmaking role, linking venture capitalists and impact investors with promising initiatives. Their approach is rooted in co-creation and partnerships.
Meanwhile, Rose Maruru from EPIC Africa emphasised the importance of accessible data on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Democratising this information is key to strengthening African CSOs and ensuring transparency and accountability.
Good governance, strong leadership, and an asset-based approach were also underlined as essential foundations. Legal advice remains a must for navigating compliance in this evolving space.
Planning for the Long Term
In breakout discussions, I was privileged to be in the group that dug deeper into the concept of income diversity, a diversified resource base combining grants, local giving, earned income, and impact investment. Long-term financial planning (over a 10–30 year horizon) emerged as a crucial strategy for guiding organisational growth and sustainability.
A Call to Action
This Masterclass was more than a learning opportunity, it was a powerful call to action. It reaffirmed that Africa has the resources, the talent, and the ingenuity to define its own path toward sustainable financing for social impact.
I left feeling inspired and motivated to embrace these new models. Let us continue the conversation. What are your thoughts on sustainable financing models for social change? Drop a comment below, I would love to hear from you.
About the author
Charles Kojo Vandyck is a dynamic development practitioner and thought leader who is driving transformative change within civil society. As a Founding Member of the prestigious International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon), spearheaded by the renowned Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Charles is at the forefront of transforming citizen participation worldwide. With positions as a Trustee of INTRAC and an Advisory Board Member of Disrupt Development, he is shaping the future from Oxford to Amsterdam. Charles's remarkable contributions continue as a Core Team Member of the game-changing Reimagining INGOs (RINGO) initiative and as the Head of the Capacity Development Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). Recognised by the Development Studies Association, Charles is also a certified Change the Game Academy Master Trainer and an IFC-Learning and Performance Institute Trainer. Prepare to be inspired by Charles as he paves the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and empowered civil society.
