The Africa Philanthropy Network (APN), formerly known as the African Grantmakers Network is a continent-wide network of African grantmaking organizations and other philanthropic actors that facilitates experience-sharing and learning among established and emerging African philanthropic institutions. APN aims to consolidate the voice of African philanthropy to address social injustice and development issues on the continent. Currently the Network promotes collaboration and connection among African philanthropists while bringing the voice and achievements of African philanthropy to the global development narrative.

They believe that the consolidation of voices of African philanthropy is key to acquiring a place in the global development space where the concerns and desires of the continent can be articulated. Today the network stands at the brink of a new era in its life as a pan African member-based philanthropy network redefining itself to represent all African philanthropy.

Their objectives:

Their strategic objectives are to:

Strengthen philanthropic institutions in Africa through peer learning and exchange of best practices
Amplify the continental voices in the development discourse and promote African perspectives on regional, continental, and global platforms
Recognize, document, and reinforce the traditions and models of African philanthropy
Advocate for long-term and sustainable policy mechanisms and resources, including investments and endowments for philanthropic institutions in Africa
Serve as a reference point for Africans in the Diaspora and a point to affirm the identity of African philanthropic institutions
Cultivate good relations with other civil society formations in Africa and increase networking around the continental development agenda
Promote effective advocacy to influence national and regional policy setting and regulation relevant to philanthropy
Conduct pertinent data collection, research, and capacity building services

The APN seeks to establish a strong voice for African philanthropy in order to address the growing development challenges of Africa. APN believes that Africa can effectively mobilize and harness domestic resources for its own development.  Domestic resource mobilization creates opportunities for building innovative partnerships for development; achieving universal social protection for the poorest of the poor; enhancing domestic capital formation through asset building; recognizing creative means of citizen participation; reducing dependence on external aid and progressive private sector contribution to development.