African Philanthropy Leaders Gather for 6th Annual Conference on Sustainable Development

Organized by the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy, Civic Engagement and Responsible Business, the conference brought together a diverse community of thinkers and doers committed to shaping the future of African-led development.

Now in its sixth year, the African Philanthropy Conference has evolved into a key platform for exchange, collaboration, and bold thinking. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Financing for Development in the Majority World,” invited participants to rethink how development is financed; not through traditional aid, but through models that reflect the values, priorities and lived realities of African communities.

Throughout the week, the conference hosted conversations on decolonized funding structures, ethical finance, gender-responsive approaches and remittance-based models, as well as the growing use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics in philanthropic work. 

“The African Philanthropy Conference reflects the Gerhart Center’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and advancing community-rooted solutions,” said professor Ali Awni, director of the Gerhart Center. “We are proud to be part of a movement that centers social responsibility, civic engagement and philanthropy shaped by African perspectives.”

One of the most anticipated moments of the week was the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony, which honored individuals who have made a lasting impact on African philanthropy. H.E. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, a development specialist and feminist activist, was this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her remarkable work in feminist activism and social change in philanthropy. The conference also featured high-level plenaries, policy panels, interactive workshops and exhibitions. The opening plenary, focused on the future of African philanthropy, was led by professor Bhekinkosi Moyo, director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment.

The event was co-convened with a strong network of regional and global partners, including the Africa Philanthropy Forum, the Southern Africa Trust, the Arab Foundations Forum and Waqfeyat Misr Foundation. Together, they reinforced a shared vision for development financing that is ethical, inclusive and self-determined.

By hosting this landmark gathering, the Onsi Sawiris School of Business continues to strengthen its role as a convening space for regional dialogue and responsible leadership. Through the work of the Gerhart Center, the school remains deeply committed to addressing complex social challenges and contributing to lasting, community-driven impact.