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Philanthropic donor agencies and social policy in sub-Saharan Africa – New perspectives to the “welfare mix”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2024

Roosa Amanda Lambin
Roosa Amanda Lambin*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Policy and Criminology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
*
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The role of external actors has now been widely acknowledged in shaping social policy processes in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, the social policy roles and influence of philanthropic donors have been less recognised and examined. As various countries in the region seek to expand social policy implementation and delivery and revitalise the development of national welfare systems, it is important to better understand the roles and functions of philanthropic donor agencies in the processes of agenda-setting, financing, and delivery of social policy. This article discusses the complex social policy functions held by philanthropic donor agencies in sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of the “welfare mix,” drawing attention to the divergencies and convergences between Western philanthropic donors and their African counterparts, while reflecting on the direction of future research agendas.

Keywords

philanthropysocial policyAfricawelfare mixprivate foundations
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy , Volume 39 , Issue 3: Social Policy in Africa: Dynamics, Risks, and Protection , November 2023 , pp. 306 - 318
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Social Policy Association

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