Some of Africa’s wealthiest business leaders and personalities take social responsibility very seriously, using both their time and resources to improve the lives of others. Here’s a look at some of the philanthropic efforts of some of the continent’s big givers.
Didier Drogba Foundation
La Fondation Didier Drogba was launched in 2007 by Ivorian soccer player Didier Drogba with a vision to improve education and healthcare in Côte d'Ivoire and other African countries. The foundation has since opened the doors to one of five hospitals built for underprivileged women and children, collaborated with the local Red Cross to assist orphanages, and worked with United Against Malaria.
Sawiris Foundation for Social Development
This grant-based organisation was founded in 2001 by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris. Focused on youth training for employment, scholarships, cultural awards, microcredit, health and community development in the North African country, its initiatives are financed through the foundation’s endowment fund and annual donations from founding members.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation
TEF is an entrepreneurship-based organisation that focuses on empowering Africa’s entrepreneurs to unlock the continent’s economic and social development. The major programme of the foundation is the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP). Upon completion, would-be entrepreneurs receive non-renewable capital to kick-start their businesses.
The Liya Kebede Foundation
LKF was launched by supermodel and health advocate Liya Kebede in 2005 to advance safe motherhood in Africa alongside Kebede’s appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal & Child Health for the World Health Organization. The foundation has since trained over 40 health workers in Ethiopia, who have gone on to assist more than 10 000 mothers in birthing their children safely.
The Motsepe Foundation
Started by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, in 1999, the Motsepe Foundation focuses on social and economic development in South Africa. The foundation’s initiatives include awarding bursaries to students pursuing careers in STEM and business fields, an entrepreneurship programme for women, and a youth soccer tournament that contributes to youth and education development.
The Dangote Foundation
The Dangote Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Dangote Group, a multinational conglomerate founded by Africa’s richest man, Nigerian Aliko Dangote. The foundation has spent over $180 million on philanthropic efforts, which include the rehabilitation of some of Nigeria’s universities, and the provision of aid to the victims of the 2014 floods that swept through the country.
Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi
Ethiopian billionaire Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi practices the Islamic concept of ‘zakat’, which means donating a significant proportion of your wealth to the community for its betterment. Al Amoudi invests primarily in education and healthcare-related initiatives. He committed over $20 million to AIDS awareness and treatment between 2007 and 2011, and has been involved in building hospitals in Ethiopia.