Giving Compass' Take:

• Forbes details the philanthropic efforts of billionaires in Africa, such as South African mining titan Patrice Motsepe and cement and sugar baron Aliko Dangote.

• From improving health, education and infrastructure, these high-net-worth givers can provide inspiration for others around the world in their generosity.

• Here's why it's vital that African philanthropy has a seat at the policy table.

Africa’s richest people are stepping up their philanthropy. When Forbes began its annual ranking of the wealthiest people on the continent in 2011, no African billionaire had signed the Giving Pledge. Today, there are at least 4 Africans who have taken the vow to give at least half of their net worth to philanthropy, either during their lifetime or upon their death.

South African mining titan Patrice Motsepe was the first to take the pledge in January 2013; Sudanese-born telecoms mogul Mohammed Ibrahimjoined in a month later. In 2014, Zimbabwe’s richest man Strive Masiyiwatook the vow, and in 2016 Mohammed Dewji answered the call, promising to give away at least half of his wealth to philanthropic causes.

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has not taken the pledge yet, but he doesn’t even have to. The Nigerian cement and sugar baron is already one of the most philanthropic people on the continent. Through his Dangote Foundation, which has an endowment of a reported $1.25 billion, Dangote has given more than $100 million over the last 5 years to causes in education, arts, and humanitarian relief. Dangote stated in the past that he wants to be Africa’s biggest philanthropist. He probably already is.

Read the full article about the philanthropy of Africa's billionaires by Mfonobong Nsehe at Forbes.