Investment Impact Index

13/08/2026

AI and the Future of Africa’s Social and Impact Economies

We have just launched a practical, African-context guide for funders, boards, NPOs, intermediaries, social enterprises, practitioners and policymakers navigating the opportunities, risks and institutional implications of artificial intelligence.

From Fragmentation to Intelligence examines what AI may make possible across Africa’s social and impact economies, what could go wrong, and what organisations must put in place before adoption moves beyond experimentation. This is not a guide to the latest tools — it is a guide to making better decisions about whether, where and how AI should be used.

The guide is aimed at providing guidance and tools to navigate AI within organisations, as well as specific applications such as using AI in specific portfolios e.g. education, health, food security. It also provide opportunities for new careers within the social economy and also provide 30 AI case studies.

The guide is now available for download from our website, which you can access by clicking on the link below.

https://nextgeneration.co.za/book/from-fragmentation-to-intelligence/

Download a practical guide to AI in Africa’s social economy, covering readiness, governance, case studies, tools, workforce and responsible adoption.

02/04/2026

Our 2026 Impact Leadership Masterclasses are kicking off in May in Cape Town and will be followed by Johannesburg in July. This year we have two learning opportunities.

1️⃣The Pathways to Scale Masterclass: This masterclass recognises the diversity of pathways to scale, and provides a robust framework for considering the range of approaches, skills, and steps involved in bringing social approaches and innovations to scale.

2️⃣The Impact Management and Measurement Masterclass: The Impact Management and Measurement (IMM) Masterclass will equip practitioners and professionals with skills to define, measure, and maximize economic, social and environmental impact.

Both Masterclasses are rooted in practice and provides not only more than 50 case studies and practical tools, but is supported by external guest speakers that will share their impact journeys.

Both Masterclasses are in person and is conducted over three days. You are welcome to download the full brochure (see the link in the comments) or send us an email for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you at our upcoming events!

09/03/2026

Want to learn more about impact management and measurement or how to scale the impact of your programs then why not consider our 2026 Impact Leadership Masterclass Series?

Informed by practice and meticulously researched and supported by extensive supporting tools and guidelines, our 2026 Masterclasses is aimed at impact leaders and changemakers who want to ensure that they have impact that is exponential, sustainable and credible.

This year we offer two opportunities:

1️⃣Our Pathways to Scale Masterclass focuses on a) what it takes to scale an organisation and its programs, b) the different options for scaling to explore c) how to manage the process and systems that supports scaling d) how to raise funding for scaling and of course e) how to manage your impact measurement process during the scaling journey.

2️⃣Our Impact Management and Measurement Masterclass focuses on a) designing impact strategies, b) developing impact management plans and impact measurement frameworks c) applying global standards to your work d) valuing your impact e) analysing your impact and of course f) reporting on your impact.

Our masterclasses are presented in Johannesburg and Cape Town during May and July. These are three day in person events that is also supported by guest speakers that share their organisations scaling impact journeys with participants.

A link is provided in the comments to the 2026 Masterclass series brochure which you can download from our website. Applications are now open. We look forward to hosting you at our next Masterclasses.

26/02/2026

Changemaker? Change leader? Want to grow your organisation? Want to grow your career? Want to be part of the impact economy?

Our 2026 Impact Leadership Masterclasses are now open for application.

This year we have to training opportunities for you to grow your skills and add more value to your organisation.

Our pathways to impact at scale masterclass focuses on the growing your organisation, programs and impact.

Our impact management and measurement masterclass focuses on developing impact strategies, impact management plans and impact measurement frameworks.

Why not join us?

Our masterclasses are happening in Cape Town and Johannesburg and we would love to see you at our next event.

If you need more information or want to look at our 2026 Training Brochure, either visit our website or send us an email.


16 m

11/02/2026

Our 2026 training brochure has just been released and we are open for applications:

This year we are focusing on two critically important aspects for the social sector:

Masterclass 1: Focuses on pathways to impact at scale. This masterclass will prepare organisations by clarifying the different options they have - whether it is to grow their impact, grow their geographic footprint, grow their reach or grow across ecosystems.

Masterclass 2: Focuses on impact management and measurement. This masterclass covers the entire lifecycle - from designing for impact, to managing and measuring impact as well as reporting on impact.

If you need more information, please send us an email and we will send you the brochure.

We hope to welcome you to one of our masterclasses this year!

24/05/2025

Join us in exploring the nuances between Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Impact Management and Measurement (IMM) in our upcoming Masterclasses.

Our audience is a vibrant mix, ranging from social impact organisations showcasing outcomes tied to funding, to social enterprises balancing impact and investor returns, to investors, grantmakers and funders seeking to optimise their impact and returns responsibly.

In today's dynamic landscape, understanding what drives success is crucial. Both M&E and IMM offer valuable insights to inform strategic decisions – whether it's scaling interventions, refining investments, or aligning efforts for desired outcomes.

With an abundance of data at our fingertips, we now have unprecedented opportunities to compare impact outcomes. Coupled with advancing technology, we can elevate our data management, measurement, and visualisation practices across the board.

Over three intensive days, we delve into the core processes essential for honing your impact management, measurement, and reporting skills. Beginning with purposeful impact design, clarifying impact statements and theses set the foundation. Transitioning to impact management involves integrating investment and development strategies to streamline measurement approaches. Beyond just impact indicators, we leverage global frameworks for standardised impact assessment, fostering transparency and comparability. Finally, we concentrate on impact analysis, verification, and comprehensive reporting.

If you are keen on upskilling in this rapidly evolving field, aiming to elevate your organisation's performance management, or aspiring to excel in impact reporting, consider joining us for an enriching experience.

Explore our IMM Masterclass brochure on our website or reach out via email or comments for more details. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your proficiency in Impact Management and Measurement. Get in touch today to secure your spot!

07/04/2025

You are invited to the launch event of the 2025 Research Report about the in South Africa.

At the event we will share and about the current state of the sector, and emerging and practices.

Our events will take place on 6 May in Johannesburg and 12 May in Cape Town. At the event a panel of experts from the social sector will also share their future .

Why not join us? Attendance is free, but seating is limited.

For more information you are welcome to send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the link to the booking platform.

We look forward to hosting you.

19/03/2025

Please note that the Investment Impact Index page will shut down on 1 July 2025. We are in the process of migrating all the content and functionality to the Next Generation Consultants page on Facebook. You are welcome to follow our Next Generation facebook site, or our Linkedin page, where we regularly share news about the social, solidarity and impact economies. All our research and Masterclasses will continue as normal, but all activities are now integrated through a single interface and a brand new website which will launch in May.
Thank you for following us!

30/09/2024

We have had quite a few enquiries to present our Impact Management and Measurement Masterclass one more time in 2024.

From 4 - 6 November we will be hosting our Masterclass in Johannesburg. During the Masterclass you will embark on a transformative journey that will equip you with invaluable tools and insights to revolutionize how you measure, assess, and communicate your organization's impact.

Whether you are from government, a not-for-profit organization, a corporation, foundation or Trust, a social enterprise or a consultancy firm, when you enroll in our three-day Masterclass, you will:

1️⃣ Learn how to measure, evaluate, assess and analyse and on the impact of your investments, programmes and portfolios
2️⃣ Learn about designing impact strategies, management plans, and measurement frameworks as well as impact indicators
3️⃣ Learn about the latest guidelines, standards and best practices for impact management and measurement
4️⃣ Enjoy face-to-face learning and engagement with key leaders in the sector and access a network of peers to continue learning and sharing

Why not join us? If you need more information, please send an email and we will forward you the brochure.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

17/04/2024

The philanthropy sector is experiencing a . Not only are we facing resource scarcity, but current approaches to development are changing fast to deal with escalating and compounding crises such as the impact of climate change, geopolitical tensions, the cost of living crises, increased inequality and food insecurity, rising unemployment and poverty. In addition, we face a trust deficit that is negatively affecting the reputation of our sector.

Furthermore, we will have to prepare for new technologies and development priorities which necessitate new approaches to solving the world’s greatest challenges. These compounded challenges then lead to a from which no actor in the ecosystem will be sheltered.

New organisational structures such as social franchises and enterprises, new innovative funding solutions such as outcomes-based funding and impact investing, the impact of new technologies such as generative AI as well as a predicted skills shortage will affect all of us working in the humanitarian and social sectors.

Already the sector is adapting and restructuring, however, we must question whether we are getting more effective and efficient, whether we are prepared to make even more difficult decisions and factor in more risk-based and transformative systems-based approaches to become more sustainable and have greater impact.

These are just some of the issues that will be discussed when we launch the 2024/2025 research findings for the social investment and development sectors on the 10th of May in Johannesburg. And this year we are also changing our approach:

1️⃣ We have an excellent panel who will also share their insights such as Lunga Schoeman from the Development Bank of South Africa, Simphiwe Mtetwa of CSR News, Rest Kanju from Indalo Inclusive, Tshego Bokaba from the Momentum Metropolitan Foundation as well as Onyinye Nwaneri from Afrika Tikkun
2️⃣ We have support from the Momentum Metropolitan Foundation which provide an opportunity for more discussion and conversation about the future of our sector, and which allows us to provide this learning opportunity free of charge.

If you are interested in learning more about the status and future direction of the sector and if you want to be part of the conversation, you are welcome to join us!

You can book your seat by clicking on this link: https://lnkd.in/gksD2U-X

Seats are limited, so please don’t delay. If you are not able to secure a seat, please send us an email or comment in the section below and we will send you a copy of the research presentation.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming event!