Twenty African social innovators selected for the 2023 Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme
Twenty (20) social innovators from across Africa have been selected by the Sahara Group Foundation (www.SaharaGroupFoundation.org), the corporate social sustainability vehicle for the leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, in collaboration with Impact Amplifier, a South African-based advisory firm, and LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development nonprofit organisation.
The Sahara Impact Fund programme received almost 300 submissions from 19 African nations, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda, with an emphasis on expanding access to energy and fostering sustainable environments.
The 2020-launched SIF Fellowship programme aims to provide forward-thinking African changemakers with the information and assets needed to grow their social enterprises and contribute to resolving the environmental and social issues facing our society.
“We are thrilled to kick off the third Cohort of our Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme with this new set of inspiring social entrepreneurs and innovators who are committed to accelerating Africa’s development with their bold and innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Ejiro Grey, Director, Sahara Group Foundation, in a speech at the induction ceremony for the new Fellows.
Ejiro Grey praised the Fellows for choosing to develop business models that contribute to the expansion of our society in her letter of congratulations to the twenty newly inducted Fellows. She urged them to take advantage of the workshops, mentorship, peer support, and networking opportunities provided by the Fellowship in order to develop their own social enterprises and make a significant, long-lasting effect.
Stanley Anigbogu, Oluwaseyi Moejoh, Kehinde Fashola, Emmanuella Azegba, Muideen Adegoke, Chidozie Igweilo, Joshua Attat, Osato El-Osemwingie, and Paul Nnaluo are among the Nigerian SIF Fellows for this year.
Patience Alifo from Ghana, Philip Kitungano from Tanzania, Erick Mbeva from Kenya, Joyce Rugano from Kenya, Jolis Nduwimana from Burundi, Kachigo Zulu from Zambia, Andrew Mpashi from Zambia, Timothy Munthali from Malawi, Ainomugisha Shifira from Uganda, Tukwatanise Bonnita from Uganda, and Muofhe Ratshikombo from South Africa are some of the others.
The Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, noted that “the most promising leaders are those who dare to challenge the status quo and envision a brighter future for the African continent” in her remarks to the newly inducted Fellows. She commended the Fellows on their accomplishments after a rigorous application process and tasked them with using the Fellowship to influence the future of Africa.
At the induction event, Nnamdi Ehirim, a project associate for Impact Amplifiers, also spoke to the Fellows. Ehirim congratulated the new Fellows and advised them to fully immerse themselves in the Fellowship since it has the power to positively change their perspectives and provide them with the tried-and-true methods necessary to support the development of their business models.
The Sahara effect Fund Fellowship curriculum exposes Fellows to modules that enhance business growth and investment readiness, enabling them to make a lasting effect on society.
The initiative is also designed to provide a seed funding of $5000 to excellent Fellows at the conclusion of the Fellowship as a reward. The purpose of this financial commitment is to provide the tools necessary for social innovators to scale their business models.
The Sahara Group Foundation is steadfastly committed to creating sustainable societies, and via our projects and interventions, we are having an international impact on people’s lives and means of subsistence.
Please visit www.SaharaGroupFoundation.org for more details on the Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme.
