Foundation adapts to a new world

The private funder has no intention to fill the world left by the US’s aid cuts

- Umamah Bakharia

The Open Society Foundations (OSF) is one of the world’s most influential philanthropic organisations and professes to champion democracy, human rights and open debate.

It operates at a scale that inevitably courts criticism — some of it genuine but much of it in the domain of outlandish conspiracy theories.

Like the rest of us, the OSF woke up in a different world in January, one in which the US had drastically reduced its aid funding globally.

The Mail & Guardian sat down with the foundations’ president Binaifer Nowrojee to understand where the organisation sees itself in that reformed landscape.

She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment in supporting civil society, advocacy, targeting for marginalised communities and influencing policy discussions worldwide.

However, a closer look at the OSF’s activities, particularly in Africa, raises critical questions about its influence, decision-making processes and long-term sustainability.

Shrinking footprint in Africa

The restructuring of the OSF has led to the closure of multiple offices across Africa as part of a broader strategy to improve its operations, which has included reducing global staff by over 40% since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In October 2023, the OSF announced the closure of offices in Cape Town, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Kampala (Uganda), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Abuja (Nigeria) and Freetown (Sierra Leone).

It has however maintained offices in Johannesburg, Nairobi (Kenya), and Dakar (Senegal).

The restructuring of its base offices reflects a shift in the OSF’s operational model, which aims to focus its resources more effectively on specific target areas.

Nowrojee framed this shift as a strategic realignment rather than a retreat, arguing that the OSF remains committed to democracy and social justice in Africa.