Faith Nyasuguta
Around the world, civil society and charity play essential roles in building strong communities, and Africa is no exception. Many African countries have ingrained cultural values that promote charity and community support, regardless of socio-economic realities. This spirit of giving is reflected in how people contribute their time, skills, and resources to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations.
Kindness, whether through volunteering or financial donations, is a powerful tool for overcoming inequality. For example, donations to orphans, the elderly, and people with disabilities help these individuals live with dignity and actively participate in their communities. Acts of charity often bridge the gaps left by insufficient or absent formal services, particularly in areas where governments struggle to meet basic needs.
Volunteers in Africa play critical roles by providing services that would otherwise be unavailable, such as running informal schools, tutoring, and mentoring young people in underserved regions. These efforts not only improve literacy rates but also foster leadership and innovation among the next generation. Through these acts of kindness, communities grow stronger, more resilient, and less reliant on external aid.
The following table highlights the 10 kindest countries in Africa, based on data from the World Giving Index by the Charity Aid Foundation (CAF). The index measures the percentage of people who have donated time or money to assist the less privileged. According to CAF, the organization donated more than £1 billion to hundreds of thousands of organizations in 119 countries during its most recent fiscal year.
Africa’s Top 10 Nations with the Kindest People:
| Rank | Country | World giving index | Helped a stranger (% of adults) | Donated money (% of adults) | Volunteered (% of adults) | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kenya | 60 | 76% | 53% | 51% | 3rd |
| 2. | Liberia | 58 | 80% | 30% | 65% | 4th |
| 3. | Nigeria | 53 | 79% | 41% | 37% | 9th |
| 4. | Gambia | 52 | 69% | 54% | 33% | 12th |
| 5. | Ethiopia | 50 | 62% | 54% | 33% | 16th |
| 6. | Sierra Leone | 48 | 76% | 26% | 42% | 23rd |
| 7. | Chad | 47 | 68% | 36% | 38% | 26th |
| 8. | Guinea | 46 | 68% | 33% | 38% | 29th |
| 9. | Uganda | 46 | 70% | 32% | 36% | 30th |
| 10. | Ghana | 46 | 67% | 36% | 34% | 33rd |
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