Africa is at a critical moment in philanthropy. With traditional funding streams from the Global North shrinking, the continent must innovate and rethink its social justice and investment approaches. Recently, Mrs Graça Machel, global advocate, philanthropist, and founder of the Graça Machel Trust, spoke powerfully during a lecture hosted by the Centre on African Philanthropy
The Graça Machel Trust is a leading advocate for womenâs economic advancement across Africa. Through strategic policy engagement, capacity-building workshops, and high-level advocacy, the Trust breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for women entrepreneurs.  Strengthening Advocacy for Women Entrepreneurs  Recently, the Trust hosted Advocacy Review Workshops in Malawi and Zambia. These events provided
Women in agribusiness across Africa continue to face entrenched systemic barriers. Although they make up over 60% of the continentâs agricultural workforce, women receive less than 10% of available credit and control less than 20% of agricultural land (FAO, 2011). These figures highlight a persistent gap in access to resources, opportunities, and support. Â Â
In South Africa, women play a critical role in agricultural production, significantly contributing to food security, rural development, and community resilience. Despite this, they remain largely excluded from agribusiness opportunities and formal markets due to structural inequalities, limited market information, and deep-rooted gender biases. The Graça Machel Trust advances inclusive and sustainable trade by enabling
In many parts of Africa, adolescent girls still face significant barriersâlimited access to health services, inadequate education, and social stigma. These challenges don't just hinder their personal growth - they can silence potential leaders and changemakers. But what if, instead of being held back, these girls were equipped and supported to lead?? Thatâs the goal
Afrishela and Chanzo Capital woo Angel investors to support early growth stage businesses  Photo: Entrepreneurs proudly presenting their innovative products at the Angel Fair  Across Africa, angel investors are becoming powerful catalysts for entrepreneurship. Yet, according to a World Bank report (2019), less than 10% of early-stage businesses receive funding from
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenâs rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Childrenâs Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsâ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trustâs goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a motherâs health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childâs life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.