LEAP Africa rallies support for young innovators

Youth-Focused leadership development organisation, LEAP Africa, has called for more investment in young social innovators and thought leaders to address key challenges across the sub-region.

The organisation made the call at the 11th edition of its Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) at the West Africa Deal Summit, themed: “Actions to Deepen Catalytic Capital in West Africa.”

The event emphasised the role of social enterprises in driving sustainable growth, focused on advancing solutions to critical social challenges in West Africa.

Over 20 social innovators from across Africa were welcomed into the programme, marking another milestone in LEAP Africa’s commitment to fostering impactful, long-term social change.

The Board Chair of LEAP Africa, Clare Omatseye, applauded the event’s mission, saying the organisation was incredibly proud to showcase Africa’s trailblazing social innovators, transforming communities across the continent by empowering leaders, catalysing a future of sustainable and inclusive growth for Africa.

The keynote speaker at the event and the Chairperson of the Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, emphasised the importance of community-focused enterprises.

“To create lasting impact, the best business model must directly solve a real problem and offer an economically viable solution,” she ssid, encouraging innovators to approach change with both purpose and insight.

Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, commended the forward-looking partnership between LEAP Africa and the Impact Investors Foundation, which enhanced SIPA’s impact this year.

LEAP Africa also presented awards to outstanding fellows. Uche Udekwe received the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Youth and Gender Empowerment; while Mago Hasfa was honoured for financial accountability in her social enterprise, and Asiimire Justine and Adaeze Akpagbula were given the Outstanding Fellows Awards.