The 2025 Skoll World Forum held from April 1st-4th in Oxford, UK, convened social innovators and change leaders committed to advancing global equity. This year’s theme, “Together We Can Mend What is Broken,” focused on addressing pressing global challenges while highlighting some of the most promising and impactful solutions.

While AVPA was not physically present at the forum, the insights and themes emerging from the gathering resonate deeply with our mission. The call to action to reimagine systems, embrace innovation, and center communities is at the heart of our strategy. As a Pan-African network committed to unlocking capital for impact, we recognize this is a critical time for the continent.

Through our partners and peers, we’ve had an opportunity to gather insights from the Skoll World Forum, which continues to inform and inspire our approach to advancing impact across Africa. 

The Role of Philanthropy Must Evolve 

With global aid cuts deepening, it’s clear philanthropy must evolve beyond traditional grants to support the growing needs of social impact organizations tackling pressing global issues. While not a substitute for public aid, collaborative models—like pooled funds and mission-aligned investing—can amplify impact. Signaling urgency, Jeff Skoll announced a $25 million emergency fund, a 30% increase in the Skoll Foundation’s annual grantmaking. Forum leaders called for raising foundation spending rates from 5% to 6%, potentially unlocking $80 billion over four years. Emphasis was placed on flexible, long-term funding and innovative, co-owned approaches—including diaspora-led and AI-driven strategies—to enable bold, scalable solutions.

Reimagining Aid and Impact 

The austerity measures in global aid were the main theme of discussion at the Skoll World Forum this year. However, most have viewed it as a blessing in disguise in exploring funding models such as impact investing, venture capital funding, and blended finance approaches. With the reduced resources, donors are now more keen on data-based and outcome-driven social impact investments. Locally-led social impact organizations are now leading in recognition as those most affected by the challenges e.g. indigenous communities are leading in addressing their challenges. INGOs are now forced to relinquish control but enhance the support of these now community-driven organizations.

Collaboration is the Heart of Progress

The Skoll forum reinforced the importance of collaboration between private and development sectors which will pave the way to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Social enterprise organizations are continuously innovating to address complex systemic challenges- however, financing remains a key challenge to scale up. But through the support of collaborative mission-aligned cross-sector partnerships, their work will create a lasting impact necessary to drive change that the world urgently needs.

We invite you to continue to contribute to these and more dialogues that will shape the future of Africa, for Africans. Whether you’re an investor, innovator, or changemaker, your voice and contributions matter.