United Way Worldwide (UWW) will bring together leaders from across the continent and beyond for its Africa Regional Convening, scheduled for 8–10 April 2026 at the Marriott International Hotel in Accra. The three-day gathering will be held under the theme “Stronger Together: Building a Resilient United Way Africa.”
The convening will unite Local United Ways (LUWs), UWW global leadership, board members, strategic partners, funders, philanthropy networks, and development stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s social and economic transformation. Across Africa, LUWs serve as trusted community anchors, driving locally led solutions in youth employment, education, financial resilience, health, and community development. However, many operate in a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by shifting philanthropic priorities, constrained public funding, and rising demand for measurable impact and accountability.
The Accra meeting comes at a pivotal moment, as new opportunities emerge within Africa’s philanthropic ecosystem—including contributions from high-net-worth individuals, corporate social investments, regional foundations, diaspora giving, and innovative financing models.
“This opportunity reflects the strength and potential of the United Way network across Africa,” said Sonya Anderson, Executive Vice President of UWW’s International Network. “At a time of both challenge and opportunity, bringing leaders together to share ideas, align strategies, and build partnerships is critical to accelerating locally led solutions that drive lasting impact in communities.”
The Africa Regional Convening aims to strengthen the performance, capacity, and sustainability of the United Way network across the continent through shared learning, strategic alignment, and partnership development. Key focus areas include strengthening the Africa LUW network through knowledge exchange and alignment on standards, exploring innovative and diversified resource mobilization strategies, engaging current and prospective funders in collaborative and pooled financing opportunities, co-creating a forward-looking Africa Philanthropy and Impact Agenda aligned with global trends, and positioning African communities and local organizations as central drivers of philanthropic investment.
Participants will gain insights into the state of the global and regional United Way network and UWW’s strategic direction. The convening will also deepen collaboration between LUWs, UWW leadership, and international teams, while strengthening relationships with existing and potential partners. Additionally, the platform will showcase impactful community-based initiatives across Africa, facilitate intelligence-sharing and peer learning, promote strategic philanthropy as a tool for sustainable development, and build stronger partnerships to scale impact across the continent.
The “Stronger Together” convening underscores UWW’s renewed commitment to fostering a resilient, innovative, and collaborative Africa network capable of driving sustainable, locally led development at scale. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event will serve as a catalyst for shaping the future of African-led philanthropy and strengthening collective efforts toward inclusive growth and long-term community impact.
Global and regional UWW leadership will attend, including Rosie Allen-Herring, Interim President & CEO of United Way Worldwide; Sonya Anderson, Executive Vice President, International Network; Patrick Lohmayer, Vice President, Programs and Partnerships, International Network; Amatullah R’Id, Director, Network Membership, International Network; and Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, Vice President for Africa, United Way Worldwide. Also attending are CEOs and Executive Directors from leading donor organizations, including Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Vivo Energy Ghana, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, and Cummins Ghana, alongside board members from United Way Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
United Way Worldwide mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. True to its founding spirit, United Way responds wherever there is need, bringing a comprehensive approach to every challenge. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, United Way works toward a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.
