C-Sema joins African leaders at Segal 2026: The Next Beat in Nairobi

The gathering brought together African-led organisations, philanthropists and social impact leaders to strengthen connections, share ideas and explore the future of locally led change.

Nairobi, Kenya | 21–24 July 2026

C-Sema was among the invited organisations at Segal 2026: The Next Beat, a four-day gathering convened by the Segal Family Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 24 July 2026.

C-Sema was represented by Kiiya JK joining fellow African leaders, nonprofit organisations, funders, social innovators and development practitioners for conversations on the future of African-led development.

Marking 20 years of the Segal Family Foundation’s work with local leaders across the continent, the gathering created space for participants to build relationships, exchange practical experiences and reflect on how trust, collaboration and locally driven solutions can contribute to lasting change.

According to the Foundation, the event brought together hundreds of people from African-led organisations across more than 20 countries. Its emphasis was not simply on sharing success stories, but on creating meaningful connections and helping organisations think more clearly about what comes next.

Strengthening African-led solutions. For C-Sema, participation in this gathering was an opportunity to engage with a wider community of organisations working to address complex social challenges in their own contexts.

As a Tanzanian child-rights organisation, C-Sema works to advance the protection and wellbeing of children, including through the National Child Helpline (116), which provides a channel for children and communities to seek help and report protection concerns.

This work depends on more than service delivery alone. It requires trusted relationships with children, families, communities, government institutions and partners. It also requires approaches that respond to local realities and recognise the knowledge and experience of the people closest to the challenges being addressed.

Conversations among African-led organisations offer valuable opportunities to learn how others are strengthening their institutions, building partnerships, using evidence and sustaining their work in changing funding environments.

The value of connection and collaboration. One of the important themes of Segal 2026 was the role of relationships in advancing social change. The gathering created opportunities for formal discussions as well as informal exchanges among organisations, practitioners and funders.

For organisations such as C-Sema, these connections can help open pathways for peer learning, knowledge exchange and future collaboration. They can also strengthen conversations about philanthropy and the importance of funding approaches that recognise the leadership, expertise and long-term commitment of African organisations.

Experiences shared by other participating organisations reinforced the value of building relationships beyond a single event. The wider impact of such gatherings depends on how participants translate the ideas, lessons and connections they gain into practical action when they return to their organisations and communities.

Building connections across Africa’s social impact community. Beyond the formal programme, Segal 2026: The Next Beat provided an opportunity for C-Sema to connect with leaders and practitioners working across different areas of social development.

Among those Kiiya JK met in Nairobi were Mariam Abdalla, Acting Executive Director and Outreach Coordinator at Safari Doctors, a humanitarian organisation based in Kenya’s Lamu County that provides mobile medical and veterinary services to marginalised coastal communities; MacBain Mkandawire, the Malawian social worker and development practitioner associated with Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO), an organisation working in youth empowerment, children’s rights and responses to gender-based violence; and Blain Teketel, Senior Programme Manager at Porticus Foundation.

These conversations offered an opportunity to connect with people bringing different experiences and perspectives to Africa’s development landscape. From community-based health services and youth and child protection to philanthropy, such relationships can create space for shared learning, stronger networks and potential future collaboration.

Looking ahead. C-Sema returns from Segal 2026 with an appreciation for the opportunity to engage with fellow organisations and contribute to conversations about the future of African-led change.

The gathering was a reminder that organisations do not have to work in isolation. Shared learning, trusted partnerships and collaboration can help strengthen locally driven responses to social challenges while creating opportunities to reach more children and communities.

As C-Sema continues its work to advance children’s rights in Tanzania, it remains committed to learning from others, sharing its own experience and building partnerships that support meaningful and sustainable impact.

The Next Beat is not only about imagining what African-led change can become. It is about strengthening the relationships, resources and collective leadership needed to make that future possible.

Prepared by C-Sema's Communications Team.