The Brenthurst Foundation has closed its doors, with the Oppenheimers telling Business Day they are shifting their focus to new ways of supporting Africa’s development.
Established in 2004 by the Oppenheimer family as an extension of the Brenthurst Initiative of 2003, the Johannesburg-based think-tank set out with a bold ambition: to help accelerate Africa’s economic expansion by sparking rigorous debate, generating new ideas and providing practical policy advice.
“Over the last 20 years, The Brenthurst Foundation has pursued a goal of bringing economic development to the African continent,” an Oppenheimer Generations spokesperson told Business Day.
“From helping individual leaders navigate moments of real crisis, to bringing international best practice policy advice to governments across Africa, we can be rightly proud of the impact the foundation has made.
“However, with [director] Dr Greg Mill’s retirement from the foundation, the time has come to shift our focus to alternative strategies that will further reinforce our commitment to the continent.”
According to the spokesperson, they are “entering an exciting new chapter” by “building on our operating activities, established networks and emerging partnerships,” which they say will strengthen their dedication to promoting sustainable economic growth and creating fresh opportunities throughout Africa.
Former research director Ray Hartley described six remarkable years of work across the continent and beyond in a reflective LinkedIn post.
“It was a privilege to work in the small team led by Dr Greg Mills, a man whose reach, insight and influence is truly remarkable,” Hartley wrote.
His tenure saw the foundation observe elections in Somaliland, Kenya, Lesotho and Liberia; develop strategic plans for countries such as Malawi, Nigeria and Zanzibar; and engage with African democrats facing repression.
Throughout its existence, the foundation was known for convening some of the world’s leading thinkers, policy specialists and practitioners to wrestle with Africa’s economic development challenges.
Presidents, finance ministers, UN officials and renowned scholars regularly participated in private seminars and advisory sessions aimed at strengthening Africa’s economic performance.
Its approach was unapologetically rigorous, often contrarian and always incisive — qualities that set it apart in the crowded field of policy research.
At the heart of the foundation’s mission was the belief that Africa’s economic destiny could be reshaped by informed, collaborative effort. Its work spanned three main areas: convening decisionmakers to share ideas and experience; policy advice to governments; and producing fresh analysis to address Africa’s challenges.
Over the years, it published or compiled influential books, such as The Playbook for African Democrats, In the Name of the People, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, each challenging policymakers to think differently about economic governance and democracy.
Among its high-profile board members was former SA president Kgalema Motlanthe. On accepting a three-year term in 2017, Motlanthe remarked that it was an honour to join the foundation’s “worthy cause of building a better Africa for the future of us all”.
Other distinguished figures who served on the board included Ian Khama, former president of Botswana; Moeketsi Majoro, former prime minister of Lesotho; and Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria.
Business Day has reached out to the former foundation media liaison for comment.
Update: July 15 2025
This story was updated with comment by Oppenheimer Generations.
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