Behind the action, glamour, and entertainment that celebrities across Africa bring to our screens, many of them are also making meaningful contributions off the spotlight.
In their own ways, several stars have created charitable foundations and initiatives aimed at giving back to their communities, supporting vulnerable groups, and driving positive change. 
Here are some African celebrities who run non-profit foundations.
1. DJ Cuppy
Nigerian disc jockey Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola launched theCuppy Foundation in July 2018.
The Cuppy Foundation is committed to advancing quality education by helping less privileged children access learning opportunities. It has raised over $5bn for the Save the Children Initiative in Nigeria.
2. Jackie Appiah
Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah launched the Jackie Appiah Foundation, where she empowers communities through donations and supports the elderly and needy.
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3. Sarkodie
Michael Owusu Addo from Ghana, popularly known as Sarkodie, founded the Sarkodie Foundation. The music artist, songwriter, and rapper launched the foundation on July 13, 2013, to provide educational resources and support for underprivileged children.
4. John Dumelo
John Matthew Kofi Setor Dumelo is a Ghanaian actor and politician. He launched the Dumelo Foundation in 2010 to focus on supporting underprivileged communities in the areas of education and health.
It partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to launch the Bridge in Agriculture Program, which provides affordable funding and technical support to women- and youth-led agricultural SMEs.
5. Waje
Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe, professionally known as Waje, foundedWaje’s Safe House on October 1, 2012. The foundation was established to support children through social programmes.
The first project supported under Waje’s Safe House was the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children, assisting Project HELP (Help Educate the Less Privileged) to raise funds to allow children to continue their studies in the school in Makoko, Nigeria, through Ring Back Tones’ singles “Oko Mi” and “I Wish”.
6. Liya Kebede
The Ethiopian model and actress, popular for her lead role in Desert Flower, has founded the Liya Kebede Foundation, which works to improve the health and well-being of children and also reduce maternal and newborn deaths in Africa.
7. Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Popularly known as Princess Chaka Chaka, the South African “Thank You Mr. DJ” crooner founded The Princess of Africa Foundation in 2006. The foundation aims to support health campaigns like malaria and HIV awareness.
8. Black Coffee
Grammy Award-winning South African disc jockey, Nkosinathi Maphumulo, founded The DJ Black Coffee Foundation. Named after his stage name, the foundation works with Bridges for Music to fund education for physically challenged students in sound production. In June 2025, according to Times Live, the foundation partnered with several organisations to raise over R500,000 and provide food, clothing, hygiene packs, and other essentials to flood victims in Mthatha, South Africa.
9. Stephanie Linus
Nigerian actress Stephanie Linus launched the Extended Hands Foundation to promote quality maternal healthcare, gender equality, and policy development. The foundation works to improve the lives of women and girls in Africa through empowerment initiatives, community engagement, impact-driven films, and other programmes.
10. Tems
The Leading Vibe Initiative, founded in 2025 by GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Tems. It is a platform that supports and amplifies young women in music across Africa. It comes from Tems’ experience as a self-taught artist, it provides tools and resources to help women close the gender gap in the music industry.
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