Embracing Africa’s giving traditions to tackle today’s challenges

Despite significant efforts in Africa to promote and educate people about different ways of giving, the global view of philanthropy remains largely unchanged. The prevailing belief is that philanthropy initiatives should be controlled from the top, focused on transactions, and centred around financial contributions. As a result, African philanthropy, which is more community-focused and different in its approach, continues to be overlooked. Yet, even as African philanthropy holds onto its community-based traditions, it has evolved into more organised efforts. How can individuals and organisations harness this spirit of support to address today’s challenges and drive progress?

In Africa, giving is not just about wealth—it involves offering time, skills, labour, emotional support, and other resources, even when people have little to spare. These practices include collective efforts such as pooling money or resources to support individuals and communities during celebrations, crises, or times of need. Despite being the dominant way of giving in Africa, these practices are not widely recognised in the global narrative of philanthropy, which tends to focus on formal financial contributions. Telling Africa’s story must involve capturing and promoting these unique ways of charity and generosity to raise awareness of their effectiveness and ensure their longevity and continued evolution.

To effectively capture and document these efforts, it is crucial to highlight successful community-driven philanthropy through storytelling. The documentation can be in the form of shared case studies, videos, and testimonials that illustrate how African philanthropy works, focusing on its impact on local communities. This approach offers two fundamental benefits. First, the most powerful stories come directly from the communities themselves. By involving those who practice and benefit from these charitable efforts in discussions, decision-making, and documentation, their voices help create a more inclusive and authentic narrative. This approach not only engages the communities we serve but also builds support and raises awareness of grassroots philanthropy, allowing it to reach and resonate with a global audience.

There are many ways to harness the power of African giving to drive progress across the continent. The goal should be to optimise the nuances of these traditions and adapt them to tackle modern issues. In many African societies, giving is a communal effort that can be leveraged to address challenges such as poverty, education, and healthcare. By building on this culture of mutual aid, communities can find solutions tailored to their unique needs and resources, ensuring sustainable progress.

African philanthropy often involves non-monetary contributions, which are vital for building local economies. This approach can address today’s economic challenges by encouraging people to invest in their communities in creative ways. For example, community-driven projects that focus on local production, resource sharing, and skills development can stimulate economic growth from the grassroots level, making progress more inclusive and resilient.

In a world that often views philanthropy through a top-down, monetary lens, African approaches offer a fresh perspective. This year’s International Day of Charity is a perfect opportunity to continue focusing on community-driven solutions and Africa’s unique ways of giving. It’s a day that invites us all to be involved and committed to these models, which can be particularly effective in addressing global challenges such as inequality and climate change.