Social entrepreneurs, innovators secure LEAP Africa’ intervention

LEAP Africa is set to graduate social entrepreneurs and innovators across Africa in its 10th edition of the yearly Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA).

The programme, which will also include the 20th-anniversary celebration, is scheduled to be held in Lagos. It will have six state governors in Nigeria attend the programme.

The governors include Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State.

According to the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Femi Taiwo, the firm has supported about 200 social entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cameroon, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania through the Social Innovators Programme (SIP) in the past 10 years.

He said the SIPA provides LEAP Africa with the opportunity to deepen further its engagement with social entrepreneurs and foster sectoral collaboration with the over 200 alumni social innovators on the continent.

Speakers expected to discuss the theme of the programme: “Reawaken, Redesign and Re-emerge – Africa Beyond Potential,” include, Co-founder and partner, Sovereign’s Capital, Henry Kaestner; Co-founder, GirlTrek, Vanessa Garrison; Lead, Global Prosperity Research Group, Efosa Ojomo; Institute for Disruptive Innovation, Clayton Christensen and Chief Executive Officer, CarePoint, Sangu Delle.

Other dignitaries expected at the event are Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Union, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem; Head of Sahara Group Foundation, Pearl Uzokwe and Partner and West Africa Director, Impact Amplifier, Olusuji Aina, among others.

Commenting on LEAP’s work with social innovators, Taiwo expressed his delight to graduate a new set of change-makers from the programme.

He said LEAP Africa’s social innovators are impacting their communities, cities, states and countries.

“I am privileged to have served these social entrepreneurs doing great things in their various endeavours to contribute positively to their communities,” he said.

Taiwo said to also celebrate the two decades of youth leadership development in Africa, LEAP Africa will be celebrating with its partners, funders, board of directors and staff at a Gala Night tagged: “LEAP @ 20:Celebrating Impact, Redefining the Future.”

According to him, the event will be an evening of reflection on its collective achievements and milestones, while sharing insights into the journey for the next two decades.

He said LEAP Africa is expected to host State Governors, captains of industries, thought leaders, corporate leaders as well as give awards to deserving individuals, organisations and government partners who have contributed to LEAP Africa’s vision over the years.