The Sahara Group Foundation has repositioned its flagship Making A Difference Around Africa (MADAA) initiative, now termed MADAA Reloaded, to further empower African entrepreneurs with enhanced access to markets, technology, and business advisory support.
According to the Foundation, during its relaunch in Lagos yesterday (Tuesday), the refreshed initiative seeks to identify and support visionary entrepreneurs who are leveraging local and natural resources to solve everyday challenges through sustainable business models.
Director of the Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said the repositioning reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to inclusive development and sustainable innovation across the continent.
“Through the MADAA initiative, we aim to connect entrepreneurs with opportunities that will grow their businesses and ultimately unlock Africa’s potential for inclusive development,” she said.
Menakaya noted that insights from the earlier edition revealed immense entrepreneurial talent across Africa, prompting the Foundation to broaden its criteria and expand its reach for greater impact.
“MADAA Reloaded represents our renewed commitment to discovering, empowering, and celebrating changemakers whose innovations can transform their communities,” she added.
Speaking on the broader vision of the initiative, Board Chairman of Sahara Group Foundation, Emeka Onwuamaegbu, emphasised the importance of nurturing unconventional ideas among Africa’s youth.
“We know that there are so many very talented young people in Nigeria and all around Africa who have great ideas, but sometimes they lack the opportunity to showcase those talents. We’ll be very glad to partner with such people to develop their ideas and promote them,” he said.
He noted that while earlier editions of the programme saw innovations such as repurposing used tyres and water hyacinths, the Foundation is now encouraging even more forward-looking, sustainability-focused solutions.
“This is a very big space, and we believe that the very innovative youth we have will rise to the challenge. Although we are in Nigeria, this is not about making a difference around Nigeria, it’s about making a difference around Africa. We want this to extend to all 54 countries of the continent,” he added.
He urged young innovators to share their ideas with the Foundation, regardless of how ambitious or complex they may seem. “No matter how challenging it is, please share it with us, and we’ll partner with you,” he added.
Applications for the current cycle of MADAA Reloaded remain open until May 31, 2025. Shortlisting will begin in June, while the programme is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of the year.
Selected participants will receive tailored mentorship, business development support, and strategic exposure. They will also be granted access to the Sahara Impact Fund (SIF), which provides capital to scale promising ventures.
The initiative, the Foundation said, is part of its broader EXTRApreneurship model, which aims to build sustainable communities by empowering bold, impact-driven innovators across Africa.
Executive Director of Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, described innovation and invention as the “lifeblood of progress,” adding that Sahara is committed to transforming creativity into real-world solutions through strategic partnerships and investment.
“We are here not just to admire your creativity but to work with you in transforming research into real-world solutions. I believe we can bridge the gap between innovation and industry, and build enterprises that drive inclusive growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness,” Adesina said.
He also underscored the urgent need to address Nigeria’s energy shortfall, noting that the country is backwards in terms of the quantum of energy it’s delivering. “Invariably, we are asking you to equally work on ensuring that we become a hub for energy, not just for Africa but for the rest of the world,” he added.
