Civil Society and Philanthropy in Africa: Parallels, Paradoxes and Promise

This article introduces a symposium issue on civil society and philanthropy in Africa, challenging the common perception of them as inherently democratizing forces. It critically examines the complex history and role of these sectors, exploring how donor dependence and professionalization impact their effectiveness. The authors pose crucial questions about the relationship between the state and civil society, aiming to provide a more nuanced and contextualized understanding of philanthropy and its role in African development, acknowledging both parallels and paradoxes.