For decades, Africa’s development trajectory has been heavily influenced by external aid. While such assistance has and continues to address many immediate needs, it is driven by the policies of the donating countries and often lacks alignment with local priorities, leading to disconnect from the communities they aimed to serve.
With national priorities changing every time, coupled with cyclical political and leadership changes, it is not uncommon to find donor-funded programmes having to change their priorities midstream. In recent years, we have seen the traditional Western donors putting their national interests first and increasingly cutting down on their aid budgets to Africa.
As donor funding to Africa continues to decline, the stark reality is setting in, Africa must mobilise its own resources and cultivate a culture of homegrown philanthropy to secure a sustainable and self-determined future. This moment of shifting global priorities is not just a challenge, it is an invitation to African governments, private sector actors, and individuals of means to step up and invest in the continent’s potential.
Local resource mobilisation is more than a funding strategy; it is a moral imperative that reflects ownership, accountability, and long-term commitment to the communities we serve. When African citizens invest in African solutions, the impact is not only deeper but more enduring.
As we look toward the CorpsAfrica All-Country Conference 2025, slated for Nairobi this June that will bring together 1,000 stakeholders including youth from 10 African countries for a week of mutual learning and innovative exchanges, the message is clear, Africa’s development will have to be led and funded by Africans.
CorpsAfrica’s model, that seeks to empower young Africans to serve in under-resourced communities within their own countries, offers a bold departure from conventional development paradigms. While mobilising local resources, volunteers live in under-served communities and work together to identify local needs and assets towards co-creating and co-designing small-scale but high-impact projects.
From water systems to education programmes – based on a community-led development approach, these immersive experiences foster deep empathy and understanding between educated urban youth and rural communities. The volunteers gain critical skills in leadership, project management, community-building, and resilience, thus nurturing the next generation of change-makers – committed to Africa’s collective progress.
These are the kind of initiatives that African philanthropy must rise to support and scale in agency and dignity-not just as charity, but as a strategic, catalytic investment in innovation, social cohesion, and human capital. For meaningful impact and change, African communities must be at the forefront of identifying and prioritising their development needs while designing and implementing these homegrown solutions.
A new generation of African philanthropists – entrepreneurs, business leaders, and everyday citizens – must now rise up to lead the way. By mobilising local resources and empowering grassroots action, Africa can not only weather this funding transition but emerge stronger, more resilient, and more self-reliant.
The future of African development should be built on African resolve, determined and shaped by the people who live their experiences here.
By Dr. Samora Otieno, Chief Programme Officer, CorpsAfrica
