Mapping the Philanthropy Ecosystem in Francophone Africa

Justification of research project

This exploratory research aims to map the philanthropy ecosystem in Francophone Africa, a topic that remains largely under-documented compared to Anglophone Africa. The study seeks to better understand local philanthropic action and its contribution to development, particularly during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. By integrating definitions, legal frameworks, actor typologies, and areas of intervention, the study will provide a multidimensional mapping. The objective is to identify key stakeholders and their interrelations and to make this knowledge available to local civil society organizations to support their strategies for collective action and advocacy. The project is supported by the Maison de la Société Civile (MdSC) of Benin, in partnership with several African universities. It is grounded in a collaborative approach that promotes philanthropy “by and for Africa.”

Research question

What does the philanthropy ecosystem in Francophone Africa look like, and how can it be mapped to foster understanding and support collective social innovation?

Research purpose

The primary objective of this study is to produce a comprehensive mapping of the philanthropy ecosystem in Francophone Africa in order to enhance understanding and support collaborative dynamics among stakeholders. More specifically, the research aims to highlight the specific challenges philanthropy faces in this region, to classify the various components of the ecosystem such as definitions, legal statuses, types of actors, and areas of intervention and to identify the relationships and interconnections among these actors. By making this information accessible, the study seeks to provide civil society organizations with knowledge and analytical tools to strengthen their collective strategies in support of social development

Research approach

• • Documentary Analysis and Secondary Data Collection:
    Use of online databases, government websites, and institutional reports.
    Access to databases from MdSC (Benin), the African Philanthropy Forum, and CESAG.

  • Country-Level Data Collection:
    Contributions from local researchers in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal.
    Remote data collection (via web and phone) conducted by student-researchers.

  • Conceptual Framework:
    Adaptation of Bernard Lévesque’s framework (2014) to the Francophone African context.
    Supplemented by focus groups or interviews with key informants.

  Expected Outcomes

  • Final Report including the results of each phase, to be disseminated among relevant organizations.

  • Knowledge transfer to strengthen the strategic capacities of civil society actors in areas such as social innovation, advocacy, and collective mobilization.