6th African Philanthropy Conference to tackle sustainable financing for development

The 6th African Philanthropy Conference (APC) is set to take place from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt, bringing together leading voices in philanthropy to advance sustainable, African-led financing solutions under the theme “Sustainable Financing for Development in the Majority World.”

Hosted by the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy, Civic Engagement, and Responsible Business at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, this year’s gathering comes at a critical juncture marked by declining traditional aid flows and shifting global donor priorities.

The conference will focus on reimagining Africa’s development financing systems to be more resilient, inclusive, and grounded in indigenous knowledge and local realities.

“The African Philanthropy Conference is a collective response to Africa’s economic and social challenges, especially under the current political moment. This year’s convening will move us closer to financing systems that reflect our priorities, values, and realities,” said Director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) and Chair of the APC, Prof. Bhekinkosi Moyo.

Now in its sixth edition, the APC has become a vital space for knowledge exchange among philanthropic practitioners, academics, funders, civil society leaders, and policymakers. The 2025 edition will feature high-level plenary sessions, panel discussions, collaborative workshops, exhibitions, and community engagement activities.

Key subthemes include: Decolonised funding structures, Ethical and transparent financing practices, Gender-responsive financing for development and Diaspora and remittance-based models. Others are Decentralised finance (DeFi) and community trust funds, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics and Financing for public health, education, and knowledge capital.

An academic segment of the programme will spotlight cutting-edge research on African philanthropy, and the conference will once again confer the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients include Graça Machel, Akwasi Aidoo, Gerry Salole, and Tade Aina, all of whom have made lasting contributions to the continent’s philanthropic landscape.

The choice of AUC as the host institution reflects a strategic shift to deepen engagement across North Africa and Arabic-speaking regions, expanding the reach and inclusivity of the conversation. The Gerhart Center, established in 2006, is at the forefront of promoting civic responsibility and a philanthropic culture across the Arab region.

Launched in 2019, the African Philanthropy Conference was born from a 2018 vision to reposition African philanthropy and challenge reliance on external funding models. Since then, it has evolved into a continental movement that underscores Africa’s agency in financing its own development.

As preparations conclude, delegates from across the continent and the Majority World are expected to converge in Cairo, united by a shared mission: to shape a philanthropic future that is African-led, values-driven, and socially transformative.

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