Ford Foundation asks Africans in diaspora to invest in development initiatives back home
The dialogues highlighted the significant contributions of the African diaspora to family and individuals back home, with data from the first quarter of 2024 showing that over $286 million was sent to Nigeria, surpassing the combined contributions from international development organisations like the Ford Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation to local philanthropy initiatives.
ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, the regional director of Ford Foundation of West Africa (OWA), says Africans in the diaspora should “strategically support and invest in development initiatives back home”.
Aniagolu-Okoye spoke at the African Diaspora philanthropy dialogues organised by OWA and PaTiTi Consulting in Houston, USA.
The event, which focused on how collaboration, trust, and accountability can support development work in Nigeria and across Africa, engaged high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), philanthropists, and development experts.
The OWA regional director, who was also the convener of the dialogues, called on African diasporans to rethink their approach to giving.
“The situation in Nigeria is dire and the traditional support from international partners is dwindling due to global crises,” she said.
“Now, more than ever, it is crucial for Africans in the diaspora to strategically support and invest in development initiatives back home.”
She emphasised that the call for strategic philanthropy is not just about sending money to Africa but about contributing to a more sustainable continent by addressing systemic issues.
Ayo Ajim, the keynote speaker and co-founder of the Grace Emergency Room, stated that while diasporans are committed to philanthropy in Africa, barriers such as lack of accountability and corruption remain major hurdles.
He called for reforms in initiatives that support local development work in Africa.
“The needs back home are enormous, and our involvement in philanthropic giving can create tangible change in our communities, leaving a legacy for future generations,” Ajim remarked.
He also encouraged HNIs to contribute to local philanthropy initiatives in Africa through their business’ foundations to receive the necessary tax exemptions under the law in the United States of America.
This, he believes, would build their businesses, providing the necessary funds to further invest in the African philanthropy landscape.
Daniel Chigbu, a lawyer and panelist at the event, stressed the need for due diligence and careful selection of partners.
He applauded the Ford Foundation’s offer to match funding for selected projects, noting that this step would build confidence among potential donors.
“When people are assured that their contributions will be used effectively, it will spur further giving and attract other networks to get involved,” he said.
The dialogues emphasised the importance of building trust through transparency and collaboration with credible local civil society organisations (CSOs), with participants renewing their commitment to support local development by learning from best practices across the world.
The dialogues highlighted the significant contributions of the African diaspora to family and individuals back home, with data from the first quarter of 2024 showing that over $286 million was sent to Nigeria, surpassing the combined contributions from international development organisations like the Ford Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation to local philanthropy initiatives.
The forum also addressed the challenge of harnessing diaspora contributions to create a lasting impact.
