ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Often filling in the gaps left by the public sector, faith-based organisations (FBOs) play a vital role in the provision of education, health care, and social services in sub-Saharan Africa. Given their ongoing impact, many organisations face more challenges to their economic viability resulting from changing socio-economic environments, varying donor contributions, and limited internal income sources. This study closely reviews the present corpus of research to assess the ways in which faith-based organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa finance their operations, handle financial difficulties, and aim for sustainable lifespan. Policy briefs released between 2000 and 2024, case studies, and peer-reviewed papers were all used in a thorough qualitative critical literature analysis. Thematic study identified notable patterns and difficulties with financial sustainability. The results show that most faith-based organisations, who show a limited approach to diversification into local fundraising, social entrepreneurs, or public-private partnerships, depend mostly on outside donor funding. Even if new approaches are emerging, they still lack sufficient development and application consistency. Furthermore compromising sustainability are internal shortcomings of such poor governance and financial planning. Studies show that faith-based organisations are essential for the growth of sub-Saharan Africa; nonetheless, their present financial systems are unstable and demand rapid adjustment. Maintaining sustainability calls for strengthening internal financial capabilities, implementing innovative finance plans, and refining responsibility mechanisms. Emphasising present knowledge gaps and offering a framework for policy and organisational innovation to increase the continuing effect of faith-based organisations in the region, this research offers a thorough in-depth cross-sectoral investigation of their economic sustainability.