Paper short abstract:

In their re-orientation towards domestic resource mobilization, the quest of African NGOs to establish partnerships across the continents’ business philanthropic landscape must not suffer from INGO agreements negotiated with transnational corporations.

Paper long abstract:

The intended paper will contribute to the panel from the perspective of Africa's 'gifting' landscape. With reference to theories of corporate philanthropy and practices of social investment the paper will discuss ethical, principle and practical dilemmas faced when negotiations are in play between civic actors and ( trans)national businesses on the continent. It does so in a context where aid is shrinking while African states are hindering foreign financing of domestic NGOs.

Given such conditions, their strategic alternative is towards local resource mobilization by, for example, 'philanthropic' collaboration with Africa's businesses, both large and small. Here, relational dilemmas abound. For example, with corruption common place, come risks of being tainted by money from indigenous High Net Worth Individuals. Reputational vulnerability for NGOs may come from alliances with businesses providing social investments whom, at the same time, deploy illicit transfer pricing practices that plunder the continent. Addressing such endogenous relational issues can be complicated, overlaid or hampered by potential downstream implications of what big international NGOs negotiate with transnational corporations. Put another way, whatever agreements may be negotiated between INGOs and corporations in the world's centres of power should abet and 'do no harm' to local efforts with similar aims.

References

Aylor, B., 2015, CSR Ethics in Africa: a Discussion of Business Social Responsibility While Conducting Operations in Africa, Thesis, March. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.5121.2321

van Cranenburgh, K. and Arenas, D., 2012, "Strategic and Moral Dilemma of Corporate Philanthropy in Developing Countries: Heineken in Sub-Saharan Africa", Journal of Business Ethics, DOI 10.1007/s10551-013-1776-1