Dedo n Ba, Director of Strategy of the Segal Family Foundation, Discusses Strategic Philanthropy, African Social Entrepreneurs, and Building Collaborative Ecosystems

Dedo n Ba, Director of Strategy of the Segal Family Foundation, Discusses Strategic Philanthropy, African Social Entrepreneurs, and Building Collaborative Ecosystems.

This episode offers a rich exploration of the strategic considerations and practical efforts involved in driving philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights the importance of collaboration, the evolving nature of board governance, and the critical role of local knowledge in shaping effective interventions.

Whether you're a seasoned philanthropist or new to the sector, this conversation provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of supporting African-led change.

In this insightful episode of the Do One Better Podcast, we host Dedo n Ba, the Director of Strategy at the Segal Family Foundation, and explore the Foundation's innovative approaches to philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

With a focus on building collaborative ecosystems and empowering African social entrepreneurs, Dedo provides a comprehensive overview of how the Segal Family Foundation operates across 20 countries, fostering connections and driving impactful change.

Dedo begins by introducing the Segal Family Foundation's mission, which stems from founder Barry Segal's desire to address the capital imbalance faced by African social entrepreneurs. The Foundation's work is rooted in a blended financing model, combining grants, debt, and capacity-building efforts to support a diverse portfolio of leaders and organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology.

The Foundation’s philosophy is to partner early with organizations, helping them grow into investable entities capable of attracting further funding and achieving significant community impact.

A key highlight of the discussion revolves around the Foundation's commitment to creating collaborative ecosystems, a process that requires deliberate effort and resources.

Dedo emphasizes the importance of having boards that are inclusive of individuals with lived experience, a shift he notes is gaining traction within the philanthropic sector. This approach not only enhances the relevance of decision-making processes but also drives more effective and culturally informed interventions.

Throughout the episode, Dedo touches on the importance of sharing intelligence and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including funders, social entrepreneurs, and local communities. He notes that while collaboration is often underfunded, it is crucial for scaling impact and addressing complex social challenges.

The Segal Family Foundation's role as a community builder has evolved over time, with an increasing focus on supporting networks and coalitions that can respond swiftly and effectively to emerging needs.

As the conversation progresses, Dedo reflects on the broader landscape of philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the context of the upcoming targets for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030.

He is optimistic about the growing involvement of African-led organizations and the emergence of new themes such as climate action and inclusion. However, he also acknowledges the challenges that remain, particularly the need to increase the percentage of global giving directed towards leaders with proximate experience.

The episode concludes with Dedo sharing his personal journey from the private sector to philanthropy, driven by a desire to solve problems and create meaningful change. He underscores the importance of strategic philanthropy that is both agile and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

For listeners, the key takeaway is clear: there is still much work to be done to bridge the gap in funding and support for African social entrepreneurs, and the philanthropic sector must continue to evolve to meet these challenges.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.