With 2025 well underway, we find ourselves at a critical stage—an opportunity to reflect, realign, and advance our collective mission within the sector. The complexity of our time demands bold leadership, strategic ingenuity, and an untiring commitment to revolutionary action. This is not a moment for complacency; it is a call to elevate our ambitions, strengthen our alliances, and reimagine the role of philanthropy as a driver of systemic change. With great expectancy, I introduce the inaugural edition of our 2025 newsletter, a reflection of our shared vision and the path we will forge together in the coming months.
Looking back on 2024, we celebrate a year of extraordinary resilience and strategic growth, made possible by the resolute dedication of our members and partners. The sector has navigated unprecedented challenges, yet in doing so, we have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt, innovate, and realign our strategies with emerging global and regional dynamics. The past year’s lessons have reinforced a fundamental truth: meaningful impact is not achieved in isolation. It is cultivated through strategic collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and an intentional commitment to excellence.
With this in mind, the East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) is intensifying its focus on fostering high-impact partnerships beyond conventional margins. This year, we will convene a series of pertinent engagements—including Issue Labs, stakeholder roundtables, and national and regional convenings—designed to facilitate critical dialogue, generate actionable insights, and catalyze collaborative efforts that drive sustainable change. A key highlight of our calendar will be the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference in June, an incubator for new ideas, evidence-based solutions, and innovative approaches that respond to the evolving needs of our time.
As we chart the course for the days ahead, it is imperative that we approach our work with strategic foresight and a commitment to inclusivity. The challenges we seek to address—whether in education, healthcare, social equity, or environmental sustainability—demand financial investment and the courage to rethink conformist models, leverage data-driven insights, and forge alliances that amplify our collective impact. The sector must remain agile, responsive, and deeply engaged in shaping policies and frameworks that create lasting change.
I encourage our members to actively participate in EAPN’s Working Groups, the dynamic forums for collaboration and innovation. These spaces provide an opportunity to engage in meaningful sector-specific discourse, co-create solutions, and drive sector-wide transformation through shared expertise and strategic action. The success of our collective mission hinges on our ability to envision a better future and our willingness to take deliberate and coordinated steps toward achieving it.
In keeping with our commitment to continuous learning and engagement, EAPN will continue to provide timely insights through the Ubuntu Spotlight monthly newsletter, curated publications, and our digital platforms. These resources inform our stakeholders of the latest landscape trends, opportunities, and developments. I encourage you to remain connected, leverage these insights, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue that will define the next chapter of philanthropy.
Let us move forward with clarity of purpose, unity of action, and an unshakable belief in the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful and lasting change. The road ahead requires visionary, courageous, and collaborative leadership. With your steadfast dedication and ingenuity, I do not doubt that this year will mark a defining moment in our shared pursuit of impact.
Wishing you a year of bold innovation, strategic alliances, and enduring progress.
Evans Okinyi,
CEO, East Africa Philanthropy Network
