Business + Intellectual Property Attorneys
A new blog by Soni Khanal explores what it could mean to reimagine development at a time when civil society faces shrinking civic space, funding constraints, and rising political pressures. Drawing on insights from Jacqueline Asiimwe, Fifi Boateng, and Robert White, the piece argues that development must move beyond money and formal frameworks and return to its roots, centering humanity, culture, and community leadership. It highlights how African giving has long been grounded in relationships, reciprocity, and everyday acts of care, and why solutions that ignore cultural context can unintentionally disrupt what communities value most.
Thrive Afrika closed out 2025 with a powerful reflection of gratitude, highlighting a year shaped by collaboration, trust, and Afrikan-led solutions across social impact, storytelling, learning, and strategy. One standout moment was at the Afrotellers Conference 2025, where Jacqueline Asiimwe Mwesige (CEO, CivAfrica Galaxy) crafted and launched the #AfrotellersCreed, a shared commitment that is now guiding the movement’s approach to ethical storytelling and “storying Afrika.” It was a reminder that beyond the outputs and convenings, what truly endures are the values, relationships, and collective purpose that hold the work together. Read more
CivSource Africa is commissioning a comprehensive national mapping of alternative funding models used by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Uganda under the Autonomous Resourcing of Civil Society Community of Practice (ARC-CoP). The study will identify and classify existing resourcing models, analyse how they work and who is using them, assess sustainability and risks, and document 8–12 case studies of promising approaches. Findings will inform model selection for testing under ARC-CoP, stakeholder engagement, partner selection criteria, and practical recommendations for strengthening CSO financial autonomy.
The assignment will use mixed methods (desk review, surveys, interviews, focus groups, financial analysis, and a validation workshop) and will run for 10–12 weeks. Interested consultants/teams should submit technical and financial proposals to info@civsourcea.com by January 26, 2026.
The New Africa Fund has launched the Africa Impact Fundraising Grant (AIFG) to help African NGOs, CBOs, and social enterprises strengthen their fundraising muscles. Through online training, a 30-day small-donor fundraising challenge with up to $5,000 in matching funds, and an advanced in-person workshop in Kigali for top performers, the program blends skills-building with real-time practice and catalytic support. With up to 70 organizations set to benefit and applications open until 16 December 2025, the AIFG is designed to grow locally rooted, sustainable fundraising across the continent.
A rare UAE–Africa Business Leaders meeting in Dubai brought together eight of Africa’s richest investors not just as business giants, but as major philanthropists shaping the continent’s future. With a combined net worth of over $61 billion, leaders like Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Strive Masiyiwa, Patrice Motsepe, and others discussed how their capital and philanthropy can drive long-term impact in health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and tech, especially through bold initiatives like AI for development and youth-focused opportunities.
