The Sahara Group Foundation continues its steadfast commitment to supporting young African social innovators and entrepreneurs through its Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme. In partnership with LEAP Africa and Impact Amplifier, the programme aims to empower innovators dedicated to improving access to clean energy and sustainable environments across Africa. The top ten Fellows, selected from a six-month fellowship, have each been awarded $5,000 in seed funding to bolster their socially impactful businesses. The programme, in its third year, has directly invested in over 50 African social innovators, contributing to Sahara Group Foundation’s commitment to enhancing lives and livelihoods across the continent.
During the programme’s closing ceremony, the Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Ejiro Gray, commended the Fellows for their remarkable dedication and resilience throughout the program. She emphasized that “the Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship Programme was established to bolster Africa’s development by identifying and empowering young, creative social innovators working to create sustainable environments and bridge the energy gap in Africa.”
Ejiro Gray congratulated all twenty Fellows for their program completion and urged them to apply the knowledge and experiences gained to deliver lasting impact across Africa through their businesses.
On the list of the top ten recipients of this year’s seed funding, a South African emerged- Muofhe Ratshikombo, CEO, Oumie’s Grandè. Other beneficiaries from West and East Africa include: Kehinde Fashola, Founder, Fizzle Power Tech Limited (Nigeria); Paul Nnaluo, Founder, Gas Monkey (Nigeria); Muideen Adegoke, Founder, DigitAgric Integrated Limited (Nigeria); Emmanuella Azegba, Founder, Fibban Enterprise (Nigeria).
Andrew Mpashi, Co-Founder, Twalima Agro Solutions Limited (Zambia); Philipo Kitungano, Founder, Kigoma Eco-cultural Tourism Enterprise (Tanzania); Ainomugisha Shifra, Founding Director, SOLAFAM Uganda (Uganda); Joyce Rugano, Founder, EcoRich Solutions (Kenya); Timothy Munthali, Founder, Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing Enterprise (Malawi).
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, congratulated the Fellows for their successful programme completion and encouraged them to persevere in their commitment to innovation and social progress. She emphasized that the investment in their growth by Sahara Group Foundation and LEAP Africa reflects confidence in their potential and the power of their ideas to advance Africa’s development.
In his remarks on behalf of the graduating Fellows, Muideen Adegoke thanked Sahara Group Foundation and LEAP Africa for this inspiring learning experience. He/She expressed gratitude for the invaluable knowledge and skills acquired during the fellowship and pledged to utilize them for meaningful change.
The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme has since its launch in 2020, directly invested in over 50 African social innovators. Through strategic initiatives like this, Sahara Group Foundation is dedicated to sustainably improving lives and livelihoods across Africa.
