By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi, GNA
Accra, Nov. 4, GNA – The Africa Philanthropy Network (APN), has called for greater African ownership of development processes through strengthened local philanthropy, collective action and community-led resource mobilisation.
The Network said Africa has the resources, institutions and human capital needed to drive its own transformation and shape development priorities.
Dr Stigmata Tenga, Executive Director, APN, made the call at the opening of APN’s 7th General Assembly 2026, in Accra, on the theme, “Africa Philanthropy in Action: Adapt, Advance and Amplify.”
The Assembly brought together philanthropy actors from more than 34 African countries and other parts of the world to discuss ways of strengthening African philanthropy and advancing sustainable development.
The Executive Director urged participants to take ownership of the gathering, saying: “This meeting is your meeting. Please reclaim your space, reclaim your voice, and exercise your ability to act and connect.”
Tracing the Network’s journey to its launch in Ghana in 2009, followed by its first Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2010, she said the Network had grown to bring together more than 275 African-led and African-founded institutions, foundations and networks working with communities across the continent and the diaspora.
She said the three-day event which began November 3, would provide a platform to examine resource mobilisation, distribution and utilisation, celebrate successful initiatives and challenge practices that undermined community development.
Dr Tenga said African philanthropy should be rooted in local agency, dignity and the capacity of communities to determine their development priorities while called for open dialogue and collaboration to build stronger, inclusive, self-reliant and just societies.
Mr Charles Abugre, Executive Director of International Development Economics Associates (IDEAS), said members needed to preserve African philanthropy’s traditional values of solidarity, volunteerism and community-driven action.
He said African philanthropy was fundamentally rooted in solidarity and empathy, with people contributing what they could to address community needs without necessarily waiting to accumulate wealth.
He said institutionalised philanthropy on the continent was increasingly focusing on influencing development policies, strengthening institutions and supporting entrepreneurship.
Mr Abugre said the growing challenges of development financing had increased governments’ and international institutions’ interest in engaging large philanthropic organisations to support development initiatives and urged APN to maintain their identity, values and ownership of development priorities while engaging with international partners.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
4November 2026
Patrick Ofoe Nudzi