Africa’s Changemakers: The 25 Most Philanthropic Africans and Their Impact
Philanthropy in Africa is not just growing—it’s evolving. While foreign aid once dominated the narrative, African philanthropists are now emerging as transformative forces, funding schools, healthcare systems, climate initiatives, and entrepreneurship hubs. From business magnates to grassroots innovators, these 25 changemakers are driving progress from within.
1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria)
Africa’s richest man has donated hundreds of millions through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, focusing on health, nutrition, education, and disaster relief.
2. Tony Elumelu (Nigeria)
Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, over 15,000 African entrepreneurs across 54 countries have received training and seed capital to scale their ideas.
3. Mo Ibrahim (Sudan/UK)
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation supports governance, leadership, and civic integrity across Africa, notably through the Ibrahim Prize and Governance Index.
4. Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe)
Founder of the Higherlife Foundation, Masiyiwa has supported over 250,000 students, while also playing a central role in Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy.
5. Tsitsi Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe)
A powerhouse in her own right, Tsitsi leads campaigns for girls’ education, reproductive health, and tech equity through Higherlife and Delta Philanthropies.
6. Patrice Motsepe (South Africa)
The first African to join The Giving Pledge, Motsepe funds education, arts, sports, and community upliftment via the Motsepe Foundation.
7. Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa)
His Oppenheimer Generations Foundation focuses on sustainable development, rural entrepreneurship, and biodiversity conservation.
8. Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
One of Africa’s most influential women, Alakija’s foundation supports scholarships, widows, and orphanages, and is deeply involved in Christian ministry work.
9. Ashish J. Thakkar (Uganda)
Founder of Mara Foundation, which mentors young entrepreneurs, helping bridge the gap between startup ideas and investor readiness.
10. Wendy Luhabe (South Africa)
An advocate for women’s economic empowerment, Luhabe channels funds into female-owned ventures and leadership development programs.
11. Sim Shagaya (Nigeria)
Tech innovator behind uLesson, Shagaya focuses on democratizing education through affordable, tech-driven learning solutions.
12. Theophilus Danjuma (Nigeria)
His TY Danjuma Foundation provides medical missions, scholarship programs, and disaster relief across Nigeria’s most marginalized regions.
13. Akinwumi Adesina (Nigeria)
Though best known as President of the African Development Bank, Adesina also personally supports food security, youth employment, and rural development.
14. Graça Machel (Mozambique/South Africa)
Through the Graça Machel Trust, she advances girls’ education, maternal health, and women’s economic empowerment across Southern Africa.
15. Fred Swaniker (Ghana)
Founder of the African Leadership Group, he invests in leadership pipelines that empower Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs and public servants.
16. Dr. James Mwangi (Kenya)
CEO of Equity Bank Group, he established Wings to Fly, a scholarship and mentorship program for thousands of bright, underprivileged students.
17. Mitchell Elegbe (Nigeria)
Founder of Interswitch, Elegbe quietly funds initiatives supporting youth development, innovation, and financial literacy.
18. Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
Through the Didier Drogba Foundation, the football legend funds mobile clinics, school rehabilitation, and health access in rural areas.
19. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
Using his sports stardom to uplift communities, Eto’o provides education scholarships, emergency food aid, and youth sports academies.
20. Trevor Noah (South Africa)
His Trevor Noah Foundation focuses on transforming public education by equipping schools, teachers, and students with essential resources.
21. Divine Ndhlukula (Zimbabwe)
A trailblazer in security and business, she champions STEM education and vocational training for girls in underserved rural areas.
22. Kojo Annan (Ghana)
Son of Kofi Annan and advocate for social impact investing, Kojo supports youth entrepreneurship and peace-building programs.
23. Oby Ezekwesili (Nigeria)
Co-founder of Transparency International, she supports civic education, anti-corruption movements, and women’s leadership training.
24. Tunde Folawiyo (Nigeria)
From legal education to medical outreach, Folawiyo’s low-profile but far-reaching philanthropy supports public health and culture preservation.
25. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu (Ethiopia)
Founder of SoleRebels, a sustainable footwear brand, Bethlehem reinvests profits into community development and local education.
The Collective Impact
These philanthropists represent a new development model—one where African wealth meets African wisdom. Their efforts focus not just on aid, but on systems change:
- Empowering youth and women
- Building local economies
- Funding education and health equity
- Preserving cultural and environmental integrity
Why It Matters
Philanthropy rooted in cultural context is more effective, more accountable, and more sustainable. As these changemakers demonstrate, Africa’s progress doesn’t rely solely on international donors—it thrives when Africans invest in Africans.