Nairobi, Kenya, 21 – 24 July 2026: More than 700 organization leaders, funders, social innovators, and policymakers from Africa and elsewhere around the world are in Nairobi for Segal 2026: The Next Beat, a gathering aimed at reshaping how global philanthropy partners with African communities.
Hosted by Segal Family Foundation, this convening comes at a pivotal moment for international development as governments and donor entities reassess how they deploy resources. African organisations continue to prove that sustainable progress is best driven by positioning funding decisions closer to the communities leading change. Against a backdrop of declining donor budgets and growing calls for locally-led development, Segal 2026 seeks to advance a broader conversation: that the future of philanthropy lies beyond transactional grantmaking and more in long-term partnerships built on trust, shared accountability, and proximate leadership.
“For the past two decades, our partners and advisors have told us which philanthropic approaches and pivots are worthy of their trust. With our community of donors, doers, weavers, and experts, Segal 2026 is a moment to stop, smell the roses, and reflect on our shared humanity – and to ask, where does philanthropy go next?” Segal Family Foundation executive director Dedo N. Baranshamaje describes. Segal 2026 sessions will examine the various aspects of more equitable development models, and the program also includes a keynote conversation between renowned speaker Vusi Thembekwayo and Solid’Africa founder Isabelle Kamariza. In attendance will also be African changemakers such as Tonee Ndungu, Mame Awa Mbaye, Julius Mbura, Hardy Ruremesha, and Doris Mollel, alongside other grassroots leaders whose organizations are delivering measurable positive impact in communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The event also marks Segal Family Foundation’s 20th anniversary – an era of accomplishments that include the Council on Foundations Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking (2025), Catalyst 2030 Awards Overall Best Donor (2023), as well as recognition for the cinematic documentation of their grantees’ work.
Coverage of Segal 2026: The Next Beat will be provided by Alliance Magazine.
Watch the online programming here or read more about the Segal Family Foundation.
