• The Gates Foundation plans $1.4 billion for farmers in Africa and Asia.

• Philanthropic funding remains small but strategic for African food systems.

• Three foundations account for most philanthropic support to agriculture.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Friday, November 7 at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, its plan to invest $1.4 billion by 2029 to help farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia adapt to climate change. The funds will support climate-resilient agricultural technologies, including soil health mapping, microbe-based biofertilizers, and digital decision-making tools for crops.

This announcement reflects the direction of philanthropic funding in Africa’s agrifood systems, even though this source of financing remains relatively underestimated.

Private philanthropy for development refers to all financial flows from the private sector or nonprofit organizations whose main goal is to support economic development and improve well-being in developing countries.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), these funds come from foundations’ own resources, including endowments, corporate or individual donations (including crowdfunding), bequests, revenues from royalties, investments (including government securities), dividends, and similar sources.

Although philanthropic funding is the third-largest external source of financing for agrifood systems in Africa, its contribution remains modest compared with bilateral sources (AFD, USAID, etc.) and multilateral institutions (IFAD, World Bank, etc.).

Between 2018 and 2023, African food systems received nearly $117 billion in external financing, according to a joint report by IFAD and the World Bank published last September. Titled “External Development Financial Flows to Food Systems: Deep Dive on Africa’s Food Systems,” the report notes that philanthropic funding accounted for only 3.5 % of total flows, or about $4.1 billion.

Its volume is limited, but its role is increasingly strategic in the structural transformation of the continent’s food systems. About 68 % of philanthropic funds during this period supported agricultural development and value chains, while 13 % targeted climate resilience and sustainable natural resource management. Only 0.2 % was allocated to food or social aid. “Philanthropic foundations are emerging actors focused on innovation rather than assistance. Although their volume remains limited, their financing is highly strategic,” the report said.

The Gates Foundation and Others

Philanthropic financing for African agrifood systems is concentrated among a few key players. Between 2018 and 2023, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation accounted for 51 % of commitments, or nearly $2.1 billion, making it the largest source of philanthropic funding for agrifood systems on the continent. Its strategy focuses on agronomic research, technological innovation, and climate resilience, supporting work on drought-tolerant varieties, soil health mapping, and digital tools for smallholders.

Next is the Mastercard Foundation with 15 % of commitments ($616 million), focused on economic inclusion for youth and women, vocational training, and support for agribusiness SMEs. The Bezos Earth Fund is the third-largest contributor, with about $197 million (5 % of the total), investing in ecological transition, soil protection, and ecosystem restoration.

Beyond these top contributors, a group of more specialized philanthropic organizations also supports African agrifood systems. These include the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust ($124 million), the MAVA Foundation ($118 million), the IKEA Foundation ($111 million), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation ($109 million), the Rockefeller Foundation ($96 million), and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation ($93 million).