An estimated US$7
billion is given away every year by Africa’s philanthro-capitalists – at least
the ones we know about. These are the men (sadly no women yet on this list)
providing home-grown solutions to local needs.
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| Mertech Group founder and Africa's leading philanthropist Francois van Niekerk of South Africa |
Francois van Niekerk, South Africa - The founder of Mertech Group
gave 70 percent of his equity (valued at $170 million) to his Mergon
Foundation, which funds education, health and skills-building initiatives.
Allan Gray, South Africa - The owner of Allan Gray investment
management firm, Gray gave his Allan Gray Orbis Foundation $150 million. The
foundation gives high school scholarships and supports other causes.
Theophilus Danjuma, Nigeria - The chairman of South Atlantic
Petroleum broke Nigerian philanthropic records when he gave $100-million to set
up the TY Danjuma Foundation, a grant-making organization that partners with
NGOs in education, health, policy and poverty-related fields.
Donald Gordon, South Africa - The real estate and insurance billionaire
founded the Donald Gordon Foundation which has given an estimated $50 million
in donations to develop higher educational facilities and the arts in the UK.
Aliko Dangote, Nigeria - The president of the Dangote Group has
recently entered the field of philanthropy and has already made significant
contributions totalling $35 million. He has contributed to flood relief, an NGO
developing low-cost housing and universities in Nigeria, and also gave $500,000
for victims of a munitions blast in Brazzaville, Congo in 2012.
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| Africa's richest man E |
Mark Shuttleworth,
South Africa - After selling his digital
security company for $575 million, Shuttleworth spent $20 million on developing
free open source software, Ubuntu, and another $20 million - through the
Shuttleworth Foundation - on funding the projects of individuals trying to change
society.
Jim Ovia, Nigeria - The founder of Zenith Bank gave $6.3 million to
the flood relief effort in Nigeria in 2012. Through his Youth Empowerment and
ICT Foundation, he has given much to get youth interested in ICT. He gave
$320,000 to help 10 young Nigerian entrepreneurs establish their technology
businesses.
Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe’s richest man and the founder
of Econet Wireless, Masiyiwa has spread his philanthropic work to several
African countries, including Zimbabwe. He established a $6.4 million trust in
2012 to pay for the education of 40 students. He also supports organizations
that help orphans in Zimbabwe.
Tony Elumelu, Nigeria - Elumelo, chairman of Heirs Holdings, gave
$6.3 million to flood relief in Nigeria in 2012. His Tony Elumelu Foundation
gives entrepreneurial training to young Africans.
Arthur Eze, Nigeria - The elusive oil magnate donated $6.3 million
to flood relief in Nigeria. He also gives large amounts towards higher
education.
Other noteworthy philanthropists include: Mike Adenuga and Hakeem Belo-Osagie
from Nigeria; Manu Chandaria and Naushad Merali from Kenya; Ashish Thakkar from
Uganda; the Sawiris family from Egypt; and Patrice Motsepe, Nicky Oppenheimer,
Raymond Ackerman, Tokyo Sexwale, and Cyril Ramaphosa from South Africa.
Sudanese-born British telecommunications billionaire Mo Ibrahim has
been dubbed the most powerful black man in the UK as well as the “Bill Gates of
Africa” for his philanthropic efforts on the continent. He has signed the
Giving Pledge to hand over half his wealth and has offered a prize of $5
million over 10 years, and a further $200,000 for life, to African leaders who
excel. Motsepe is the first African-based businessman to have signed the
pledge.
Sources: Forbes and AFK Insider
