How to address the funding inequity to African-led organizations

In 2018, local and national NGOs in Africa received just 0.4% of all international humanitarian assistance directly, a small increase from 0.1% since 2016, as reported by the Global Humanitarian Assistance 2019 report. This funding inequity has raised concerns about the lack of support for African-led organizations, leading to a discussion on how to address this disparity. Katie Bunten-Wamaru, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Visionary Fund, shed light on the multiple barriers faced by these organizations during an interview with CNBC Africa. These barriers range from logistical challenges such as charity registration in the US to underlying biases stemming from racism and colonial legacies. As the conversation delved into potential solutions, Bunten-Wamaru emphasized the importance of creating channels for Western funders to directly support African-led social enterprises. The short-term goal of the African Visionary Fund is to serve as a mechanism for bridging this gap, with a majority African governance board and team to ensure the funding is informed by and centered on the experiences of those they aim to support. However, she also stressed the need for a paradigm shift in the sector, with Western funders needing to address their biases and beliefs that influence their perceptions of African-led organizations. The conversation highlighted the importance of moving beyond the traditional 'white savior complex' often associated with international NGOs, where decision-making power tends to be concentrated in non-local hands. Bunten-Wamaru argued that African-led organizations are more sustainable and cost-efficient, as they are deeply rooted in their communities and understand the local context, enabling them to drive impactful change at a grassroots level. She acknowledged the legacy of ineffective practices within the sector and called for a shift towards localization that goes beyond merely hiring local staff to genuinely empowering and involving local voices in decision-making processes. The interview also explored the composition of the African Visionary Fund's leadership, where Bunten-Wamaru highlighted the predominantly African representation in key positions, including an upcoming African co-CEO. She emphasized the importance of leveraging her privileged access as a non-African to connect with funders and facilitate funding flows, while ensuring that decision-making power rests with African voices within the organization. The conversation touched upon the broader issue of funding distribution within the continent, citing statistics that overwhelmingly favor startups led by white founders in Africa. While acknowledging the challenges posed by the 'white savior complex,' Bunten-Wamaru advocated for a model that shifts decision-making power to African leaders while leveraging non-African expertise to facilitate connections and resource mobilization. Looking ahead, the discussion raised questions about the long-term solutions to funding inequity and the role of African governments in tightening legislation around international organizations. Bunten-Wamaru emphasized the need for a nuanced approach that prioritizes supporting and empowering African-led initiatives while ensuring transparency and accountability in the sector. Overall, the interview highlighted the pressing need for a fundamental shift in how funding is allocated and managed to truly support and uplift African-led organizations in driving sustainable change at the grassroots level.