Back in December 2022, we asked a simple question: Can we build our own version of GoFundMe or GlobalGiving — a platform designed for African realities, African causes, and African givers?

We had seen how online giving platforms were transforming lives globally, raising school fees, covering medical bills, supporting families after funerals, and mobilising communities in moments of crisis. We had also seen how Zimbabweans rallied around national emergencies, the Solidarity Trust during COVID-19 (Murisa, 2022, p. 117), and the response to Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani. Africans give; there is no question about it. But is the non-profit sector benefiting from this generosity? AfricaGiving sets out to ensure that it can be.

The First Iteration: Launching AfricaGiving (Feb 2023)

The first version of AfricaGiving was simple: a verified database of organisations across the continent. Individuals could browse profiles, learn about the work, and donate. We invited organisations from across the continent to register and allowed users to filter and find organisations based on their country of operation, thematic focus, and compliance score. In the first year, we registered more than 100 organisations from 16 countries.

The Heart of Digital Giving: Trust

Trust is the currency of digital philanthropy. Givers want to know: Is this organisation real? Are they compliant? Have they been audited? Will my money reach the intended purpose? Since the beginning, our compliance process has been to assess the organisation on five levels:

• Legal Registration: Legally registered in the country of operation.
• Financial Transparency: Completed an audit in the past three years.
• Strong Governance: Having an active board or governance structure that meets regularly.
• Reporting: Regular reporting through annual reports.
• Accessibility: Having an active digital presence to build visibility.

When we launched in 2023, we listed every organisation regardless of their transparency score (1-5), but as we realised the importance of trust, we have pivoted our approach and now only list verified and compliant organisations.

The first step to your individual giving journey is to complete the online application, africagiving.org/organisations/join. We also had to earn trust as AfricaGiving by telling authentic stories, sharing real-time updates, automating receipts while keeping a personal touch, and ensuring funds reach the right organisation every time.

Every improvement deepened the relationship between giver, platform, and organisation.

A Turning Point: Launching the We Are One Fund (2025)

In 2025, a new opportunity emerged: the We Are One Fund, specifically supporting organisations responding to gender-based violence in Zimbabwe. It worked, powerfully. Why?

AfricaGiving 2.0

Earlier this year, we launched a revised platform – AfricaGiving 2.0 – one that builds on the lessons learnt and strengthens how people discover, connect with, and support local organisations across the continent.

We centred five causes to make it easier for donors to start with what matters to them and then find trusted organisations aligned to that passion. The refreshed site uses more visual storytelling to create a custom pathway for individuals and corporates to get involved and support AfricaGiving. This platform is more transparent about SIVIO Institute and the system used to run the platform.

AfricaGiving 2.0 is not just a better website or a smoother payment process; it is a more intentional giving ecosystem. It brings together verified listings, clearer campaign storytelling, stronger donor journeys, better organisational readiness, and eventually more Africa-fit payment solutions. In other words, the platform is moving from being a place where organisations are listed to becoming a system that helps giving relationships grow. The redesign makes AfricaGiving more intuitive, more human, and more accountable, built to inspire confident giving across Africa.

Building the Future of African Giving

AfricaGiving exists to help organisations address society’s most pressing challenges, from education and climate resilience to gender justice and poverty reduction. Our goal is to mobilise individual giving, engage corporate partners, strengthen grassroots organisations, and build a stronger culture of African philanthropy. 

The next chapter of this work is not simply about raising more money. It is about building the trusted infrastructure that allows African generosity to flow more effectively to African causes. 

For donors, this means supporting organisations making a measurable difference. For civil society organisations, it means investing in the systems and relationships that sustain giving over time. For partners and funders, it means helping build an ecosystem where local generosity can thrive. 

Together, we can create a more resilient, connected, and sustaining culture of giving across Africa. 

Learn more: www.africagiving.org | www.weareonefund.org 

Your Voice Matters 

If you have given through AfricaGiving, we would love to hear your experience. 
If your organisation has received support, share your story. 
If you have used other platforms like M-Changa or Kissima, tell us what worked and what did not. Your insights will help us design better, more context-appropriate giving systems for Africa. Let Us Know your feedback at africagiving@sivioinstitute.org.  

References 

Murisa, T. (2022). Rethinking citizens and democracy. SIVIO Institute. https://backend.sivioinstitute.org/uploads/Rethinking_Citizens_and_Democracy_c610ae436d.pdf