Sahara Group Foundation, in collaboration with LEAP Africa and Impact Amplifier, has demonstrated its commitment to empowering young African social innovators and entrepreneurs.
During a recent event, the foundation provided seed funding to 10 outstanding fellows from its Sahara Impact Fund (SIF) Fellowship program. This initiative aims to support the next generation of innovators dedicated to addressing climate change, clean energy, and sustainability in Africa.
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Empowering Young Social Innovators
The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship program is a social initiative that offers young African social innovators an opportunity to develop their enterprises dedicated to promoting clean energy and addressing climate change. The program welcomed a total of 20 participants from various African countries, providing them with a six-month fellowship experience.
The top ten innovators who demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovative ideas during the fellowship have each been awarded $5,000 in seed funding to support the expansion of their socially impactful businesses. These innovative solutions are aimed at improving access to clean energy and creating sustainable environments across the African continent.
Encouraging the Innovators
Ms. Ejiro Gray, the Director of Sahara Group Foundation, commended the program participants for their dedication and resilience throughout the fellowship. She expressed her appreciation for the remarkable work they have accomplished in advancing clean energy and sustainability in their communities. The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship program is driven by a mission to bolster Africa’s development by empowering young social innovators who are working towards creating sustainable environments and bridging the energy gap.
Impactful Fellows
The top ten recipients of this year’s seed funding come from various African countries, showcasing the program’s impact across the continent. The awardees are:
Philipo Kitungano, Founder of Kigoma Eco-cultural Tourism Enterprise (Tanzania)
Joyce Rugano, Founder of EcoRich Solutions (Kenya)
Ainomugisha Shifra, Founding Director of SOLAFAM Uganda (Uganda)
Jolis Nduwimana, Executive Director of WEGE Company (Burundi)
Andrew Mpashi, Co-Founder of Twalima Agro Solutions Limited (Zambia)
Timothy Munthali, Founder of Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing Enterprise (Malawi)
Kehinde Fashola, Founder of Fizzle Power Tech Limited (Nigeria)
Muofhe Ratshikombo, CEO of Oumie Grandè (South Africa)
Paul Nnaluo, Founder of Gas Monkey (Nigeria)
Muideen Adegoke, Founder of DigitAgric Integrated Limited (Nigeria)
Sustaining Commitment to Innovation
Kehinde Ayeni, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, congratulated the program’s fellows for their successful completion and encouraged them to persevere in their commitment to innovation and social progress. She emphasized that the investment made in their growth by Sahara Group Foundation and LEAP Africa reflects confidence in their potential and the transformative power of their ideas to drive development across Africa.
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Creating Lasting Impact
The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship program, launched in 2020, has directly invested in over 50 African social innovators, reinforcing the commitment of Sahara Group Foundation to fostering sustainable development and improving lives and livelihoods across the African continent.
The foundation’s support for these young social innovators, as well as the impact they have made in the clean energy and sustainability sectors, is a testament to the potential of innovative solutions to address critical challenges in Africa. This initiative sets a path toward a greener, more sustainable future on the continent, as these innovators continue their efforts to create meaningful change.