Agenda
The 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference’s final agenda is being co-created through deep engagement with sector leaders, policy shapers, and changemakers from across the region and beyond. This process is deliberate and rigorous, ensuring that every session reflects the urgency, complexity, and opportunities within philanthropy’s evolving landscape. We ask for your patience as we shape a dynamic, forward-thinking program to drive meaningful dialogue and action.
Stay tuned—what’s coming is worth the wait.
Stay tuned—what’s coming is worth the wait.
Day 1 - June 10, 2025 – Arrivals, Stakeholder-Specific Masterclasses & Partners’ Side Events + Welcoming Reception This opening day will set the tone by bringing together key stakeholders for high-level masterclasses, specialized convenings, and networking sessions. Partners will host side events that address their priority issues in philanthropy and development. The day will culminate in an exclusive Welcoming Reception, fostering connections among delegates before the main plenary sessions commence.
Day 2 - June 11, 2025 -: Rethinking Philanthropy’s Financial Resilience and Cross-Sector Integration The evolving economic landscape demands a radical shift in how philanthropy is financed, structured, and sustained. As donor ecosystems contract and financial volatility persist, the sector must transition from fragile, grant-dependent models to robust, investment-driven mechanisms. This day will explore cutting-edge strategies in blended finance, impact investing, corporate philanthropy, and alternative capital mobilization to build long-term financial resilience. Additionally, we will dissect the role of data-driven impact measurement, accountability frameworks, and new financing instruments in future-proofing philanthropic capital for greater sustainability.
Beyond financial resilience, philanthropy must deepen its integration with other sectors to drive systemic, large-scale impact. The conference will explore multi-sectoral collaboration as a core strategy for achieving transformational development, emphasizing the necessity of stronger public-private-philanthropy partnerships, academia-led evidence-based grantmaking, and South-South collaboration networks. With governments, businesses, and social enterprises increasingly addressing social challenges, philanthropy must refine its engagement strategies, position itself within national development plans, and co-create solutions that align with the evolving socio-economic landscape.
Beyond financial resilience, philanthropy must deepen its integration with other sectors to drive systemic, large-scale impact. The conference will explore multi-sectoral collaboration as a core strategy for achieving transformational development, emphasizing the necessity of stronger public-private-philanthropy partnerships, academia-led evidence-based grantmaking, and South-South collaboration networks. With governments, businesses, and social enterprises increasingly addressing social challenges, philanthropy must refine its engagement strategies, position itself within national development plans, and co-create solutions that align with the evolving socio-economic landscape.
Day 3 - June 12, 2025: Securing Philanthropy’s Legitimacy and Advancing Locally-Led, Justice-Driven Models As governments tighten regulatory controls, restrict foreign funding, and redefine civic engagement, philanthropy must proactively shape its operating environment. Day two will focus on navigating shifting political landscapes, influencing policy to create an enabling regulatory framework, and ensuring that philanthropy remains a legitimate and autonomous force for social good. Strategic discussions will center on countering restrictive NGO laws, advocating for tax policies that incentivize philanthropy, ensuring financial transparency, and mitigating the risks of philanthropic funding being labeled as foreign interference.
Simultaneously, philanthropy is shifting profoundly from top-down, donor-driven models to community-led, justice-oriented approaches. This session will explore how funders can decolonize philanthropy, dismantle bureaucratic barriers, and implement trust-based funding models that empower grassroots organizations as decision-makers. Conversations will also highlight bridging economic, gender, and social inequalities through equitable grantmaking strategies, strengthening participatory approaches, and redefining philanthropy’s role in fostering long-term systemic change. The goal is to transition from a transactional model of giving to one that redistributes power and prioritizes self-determination within communities.
Simultaneously, philanthropy is shifting profoundly from top-down, donor-driven models to community-led, justice-oriented approaches. This session will explore how funders can decolonize philanthropy, dismantle bureaucratic barriers, and implement trust-based funding models that empower grassroots organizations as decision-makers. Conversations will also highlight bridging economic, gender, and social inequalities through equitable grantmaking strategies, strengthening participatory approaches, and redefining philanthropy’s role in fostering long-term systemic change. The goal is to transition from a transactional model of giving to one that redistributes power and prioritizes self-determination within communities.
Day 4 - June 13, 2025: Redefining Philanthropy’s Influence in an Era of Social Movements and Technological Disruption Philanthropy increasingly intersects with global movements advocating for racial equity, gender justice, climate action, and democratic governance. At the same time, the sector is being drawn into ideological debates and political contestations that challenge its neutrality and credibility. Day three will critically examine how philanthropy can fund progressive social causes while safeguarding its legitimacy, resisting political capture, and balancing advocacy with nonpartisan engagement. Discussions will also delve into navigating misinformation, reinforcing ethical funding principles, and ensuring philanthropy’s role in movement-building remains aligned with long-term structural transformation rather than short-term interventions.
In parallel, philanthropy is undergoing a digital revolution. The rise of AI-powered grantmaking, blockchain for financial transparency, fintech-enabled giving, and algorithm-driven social investments presents opportunities and risks. This day will explore how philanthropic institutions can embrace technological innovation while ensuring digital inclusion, mitigate ethical risks associated with data-driven philanthropy, and harness tech for impact measurement, efficiency, and accountability. As the digital frontier continues to reshape how resources are mobilized and allocated, philanthropy must strategically position itself at the intersection of technological disruption and social impact.
In parallel, philanthropy is undergoing a digital revolution. The rise of AI-powered grantmaking, blockchain for financial transparency, fintech-enabled giving, and algorithm-driven social investments presents opportunities and risks. This day will explore how philanthropic institutions can embrace technological innovation while ensuring digital inclusion, mitigate ethical risks associated with data-driven philanthropy, and harness tech for impact measurement, efficiency, and accountability. As the digital frontier continues to reshape how resources are mobilized and allocated, philanthropy must strategically position itself at the intersection of technological disruption and social impact.
Day 5 - June 14, 2025: Immersive Site Visits & Excursions To conclude the conference, delegates can participate in curated site visits and learning journeys across Kigali. These excursions will provide firsthand insights into Rwanda’s development models and grassroots innovations, reinforcing conference discussions. Options will include:
- Kigali Genocide Memorial – Understanding Rwanda’s history, resilience, and reconciliation journey.
- Reconciliation Village (Bugesera District) – Engaging with communities practicing peacebuilding and social cohesion.
- Green City Kigali Initiative – Exploring Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable urban development and green economy solutions.
- Inema Arts Center – Immersing in Rwanda’s thriving creative and social enterprise ecosystem.
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