Vision

Africa is experiencing positive economic growth and social change and the whole world is yet again looking at ways of benefiting from Africa’s wealth. AFFORD believes that it is especially important for young Africans in the diaspora to engage with the fast changing continent and capitalise on the growing opportunities.

In our experience, the most productive and ethical manner to engage with Africa as a diasporan is to ask ‘what can I give to Africa?’ By deploying technical skills, professional experiences, charitable donations and business investments, the diaspora finds practical ways to give to and take from Africa in a manner that fosters ethical progress and sustainable development. AFFORD’s Africa-Gives project challenges young African professionals and leaders, to innovate and activate new and effective ways of enhancing how Africans give to Africa.

Through remittances, older Africans sent over $40 billion to the continent in 2011. Beyond this, there is a new wave of high profile philanthropists such as Mo Ibrahim and Tony Elumelu, both bringing conventional philanthropy to the continent. Now new platforms like Africa-Gives seek to energise philanthropic giving amongst young Africans. There is very little scholarly work or understanding of how young diaspora Africans give to Africa, whether they are repeating the patterns of giving of their parents who remit huge amounts to Africa, or whether they would benefit from a targeted approach.

Young diaspora Africans will contribute significantly to driving this programme by giving of their time and skills. They will also be resources in themselves by giving not only time and skills, but significant financial resources. Young Africans will play a dual role in the development of the platform, both as drivers and as givers. Africa-Gives provides a platform, network and support for the young generation of diasporan Africans; offering guidance on how to capitalise on the growing opportunities in a fast changing continent. It challenges young people to innovate and activate new and effective ways of enhancing how Africans give to Africa.