The two-day summit is hosted alongside Impact Investing Taskforces in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, under the theme “Actions to Deepen Catalytic Capital in West Africa,” focusing on reviewing progress and commitments made towards deploying catalytic capital to grow SMEs across Africa.

This follows the launch of the Catalytic Capital Africa (2CAfrica) campaign at last year’s inaugural summit.

The West Africa Deal Summit, organised in partnership with LEAP Africa, SIPA, Ford Foundation, The RISA Fund of the United Kingdom International Development, British International Investment, Sterling One Foundation, alongside other key partners, will bring together a diverse audience to develop action-oriented strategies aimed at accelerating the deployment of catalytic capital.

This esteemed assembly includes leaders, impact investors, fund managers, development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations, government representatives, local and international NGOs, and social enterprises.

The inaugural summit welcomed over 300 delegates and received commitments from catalytic capital providers to bridge the $331 billion SME financing gap.

These efforts are crucial for building local financing ecosystems and increasing financing for SMEs in the sub-region.

Etemore Glover, the CEO of Impact Investors Foundation, Nigeria, said,

“Hosting the second edition of the West Africa Deal Summit underscores our strategic role in catalysing cross sub-regional investments. Our commitment to supporting the fundraising needs of innovative enterprises in West Africa aligns seamlessly with the summit’s focus on driving actions for mobilising catalytic capital. The dedication of Nigeria to economic diversification, thriving business environment, trade and investment makes it the perfect destination for inspiring discussion and connections that will lead to meaningful partnerships.”

Amma Lartey, CEO, Impact Investing Ghana, added,

“We are not only addressing the financing needs of SMEs but also laying the groundwork for a resilient and inclusive economic future at this year’s summit. Together with our partners, we are poised to create actionable strategies that will transform the landscape of impact investing in West Africa.”

Yacouba Ouedraogo, member of Impact Investing Taskforce in Burkina Faso, said,

“Building on the success of our inaugural summit, WADS 2024 takes on an expanded agenda, uniting West Africa’s leading impact investors, regulators and industry stakeholders to improve our capacity to unlock more catalytic capital investment for long-term sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Bowel Diop, Member of Impact Investing Taskforce in Senegal, said,

“We need to go beyond conversations to address the barriers that limit the flow of catalytic capital to West Africa. We need more connections, networking, collaboration and collective action to address the challenges we face in mobilising finance.”                                                           

Expanding upon the accomplishments of last year’s gathering, the two-day hybrid summit will feature panel sessions and expert presentations on key themes such as Financing Africa’s Future, Impact Measurement and Management, Mainstreaming Impact Investing Policies, Green financing, ESG and Impact Investing integrations.

There will also be an opportunity for direct engagement with investors and enterprises at the deal rooms, Impact Fund showcase; celebrate impact heroes at the 6th Annual Award for Impact Investing and an opportunity to undertake a Study Tour to Ghana to understand Ghanaian investment landscape.

How to join

Register here.

LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development organisation committed to raising leaders that will transform Africa, has formed an alliance with IIF and its existing partners to celebrate trailblazing organisations as part of their continued recognition of the substantial impacts of enterprises, investors, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The IIF Annual Awards, renowned for celebrating leading institutions and/or individuals who have made significant environmental and social contributions through their investments, products, services or innovations, and the LEAP Africa’s SIPA Awards, dedicated to supporting the growth of innovative youth-led enterprises, have joined forces to create a powerhouse platform for acknowledging outstanding entities driving positive change in the society.

Combining these awards comes at a crucial time when the world is increasingly turning its attention towards sustainable business practices and social impact.

The IIF Annual Awards for Impact Investing and SIPA Awards aim to amplify the recognition of organisations that are not only profitable but also making meaningful contributions to environmental and social causes.

The award recipients would be celebrated at a spectacular awards night in Lagos on the 13th of November 2024 as part of the 2nd West Africa Deal Summit. This event promises to be bigger and more impactful than ever before, bringing together investment leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across various sectors under one roof to celebrate their collective efforts towards building a better world.

The 2024 IIF Annual Awards for Impact Investing are in the following categories:

1. Impact Investor of The Year
2. Social Enterprise of The Year

The 2024 LEAP Africa  Awards  are also in the following categories:

1. Outstanding Fellow Award
2. Seyi Bickersteth Award for Financial Accountability

The Innocent C. Chukwuma Awards are in the following categories:

1. Innocent C. Chukwuma Award for Social Impact (ICA) in West Africa
2. Innocent Chukwuma prize for youth and gender empowerment in South-East Nigeria

Eligible individuals or organisations should visit the award website to read more about the selection criteria and submit nominations before June 14, 2024.

Ms Etemore Glover, the chief executive officer of Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), said,

“The support and nominations we have received over the years remind us that our ambitious goal to transform Nigeria into an impact economy is possible. We’re delighted to be working with changemakers and partners in Nigeria to spotlight the innovative and courageous organisations that are committed to being the voice of social and environmental change.”

Commenting on the recognition, Ms. Kehinde Ayeni, the executive director, LEAP Africa, said,

“As we celebrate the achievements of these outstanding contributors under the Seyi Bickerseth Award for Financial Accountability, the Outstanding Fellow Award and the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Gender Empowerment, we are reminded of their vital role in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all. There is a conscientious effort by multilevel stakeholders to adequately resource enterprise innovation, however organisational growth, financial resilience, and gender inclusion and equity are key focal areas these Awards are seeking to promote and support. Their dedication and innovation serve as inspiration for others to follow suit, driving us towards a world where business success is synonymous with social and environmental stewardship.”

Speaking on the award, Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, the executive chair, Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF), said,

“Many non-profits and civil society organisations are empowering their communities by addressing critical issues such as poverty, inequality, and access to clean water and healthcare and we want to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements in honour of the legacy of the Late Innocent Chukwuma. We look forward to identifying organisations that are implementing projects that benefit humankind.”

In 2023, Aruwa Capital Management, an impact investment company that invests in untapped economic segments won the Impact Investor of the Year award; Eha Clinics, an innovative and comprehensive healthcare service provider, won the Social Enterprise of the Year award while Women’s Right and Health Project (WRAHP), a non-profit that promotes reproductive health, rights and general development for women, young girls and communities, clinched the Innocent C. Chukwuma Award for Social Impact. 

Gift Muoneke, founder Greenera Technologies: Winner of the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Youth and Gender Empowerment in South -East Nigeria.

Jolis Nduwimana, founder WEGE Companies: Winner of the Seyi Bickersteth Prize for Financial Accountability.

Pan-African civic society and the private sector have launched a Pan African youth volunteer scheme for African youth to drive social impact.

Development organization LEAP Africa has partnered with material science manufacturer DOW Africa to unveil the fourth edition of the Youth Day of Service (YDoS), a Pan-African youth-led social impact campaign.

The month-long event aims to engage 7000 youths in volunteerism and community service to help promote achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the previous three years, it has impacted a population of 6 million individuals in 24 African countries and completed 600 SDGs projects.

Speaking at the unveil announcement in Nairobi, LEAP Africa Executive Director Kehinde Ayeni said that the event will bring together youth and high-level stakeholders from relevant industries across Africa through community activations from August 12-31, 2023.

“One of our strategic pillars at LEAP Africa is to raise talents for the actualization of the SDGs. This campaign is a demonstration of our commitment to youth-led actions for Sustainable Development across Africa. We believe in the power, voices, numbers and agency of young people coupled with engagement platforms to retool youth with the skills that can shape SDGs implementation across the continent. We are fostering partnerships to bring the achievement of the goals closer.”

Attaining the SDGs is critical for the African continent than any other region in the world.  According to the United Nations, 70% of Africa’s population, or 1.2 billion people, are under the age of 30.

Mumbi Keega, DOW Africa’s Public Affairs Lead-Africa said: “Dow is committed to fostering positive change and building resilient and sustainable communities in Africa. We believe that this can only be achieved by working together with the African youth, who are vital to promoting social welfare. Through our partnership with LEAP Africa, we are supporting the Youth Day of Service (YDoS) initiative, which empowers young people to use their skills and talents to make a difference in their communities. We are proud to be a part of YDoS and to support the next generation of African leaders who are working to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”

Scheduled to commence on the 12^th of August on International Youth Day, this initiative will engage young people across Africa in a month-long service to their communities, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year marks the fourth edition of this initiative and focuses on rallying young people, corporate organisations, as well as public and social sector organisations to become active social agents. The goal is to renew the spirit of active youth citizenship with an emphasis on spreading the culture of service and collective responsibility. The campaign will feature different projects championed by young people in various African communities across the continent.

“We are excited to partner with LEAP Africa once again on this important initiative that drives sustainable development across the continent through active collaboration, investments, and empowerment,” said Sami Mainich, President, Dow Africa. “Dow has a long history of supporting youth development, and we believe that this partnership will help us to advance our commitment to building a more sustainable future.

By working with LEAP Africa, we are empowering young people to make a positive impact in their communities as they collaborate to achieve the SDGs. We encourage young people from all over Africa to get involved and help us build the Africa we want.”

In 2022, Dow Africa – as a headline sponsor – and LEAP Africa mobilized over 4000 young people across 24 African countries to implement 210 projects which spanned across all 17 sustainable development goals. The projects which were implemented physically, virtually using digital devices, and in hybrid formats included tree plantings, food drives, beach clean-ups, medical outreaches, educational workshops and training, and virtual advocacy campaigns.

In her remarks about the partnership with Dow for the 2023 YDoS campaign, Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director, LEAP Africa, said, “We believe in the agency of young people and the power of their voices, creativity and energy when positively harnessed.

The YDoS is a massive campaign gradually catching on across Africa annually, which we are immensely proud of. LEAP Africa intends to push young people to think and be involved in social impact projects to deliver the Africa we want. 

Leveraging strategic partnerships has played a prominent role in deepening the impact of our programmatic efforts across Africa. The partnership with Dow last year enabled us to empower more African young people. We anticipate greater achievements for YDoS 2023 with this renewed partnership”.

Since its establishment over 125 years ago, Dow has been passionate about advancing science and innovation to find solutions to questions that can change the world for the better. Young people are key stakeholders in building a sustainable future, and Dow believes that by empowering and partnering with them, it can further its Blueprint thinking, contextualize its 2025 sustainability goals, and develop tomorrow’s innovators within the African youth community.

Participants interested in the 2023 initiative can either register their own project, volunteer for an existing project or sponsor the execution of a project. The registered projects can be physical projects or active virtual advocacy in different locations across Africa. To learn more about the YDoS campaign or to register for an event, please visit www.youthdayofservice.org. 

Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), made this disclosure during a visit by a team from LEAP Africa led by Kehinde Ayeni, the Executive Director, to the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency.

Inuwa lamented that the surge of migration of Nigerian youths to other countries which is largely attributed to the quest for a better life is gradually depleting the nation’s talent resources and consequently made it imperative for the Federal Government of Nigeria to create enabling opportunities through the implementation of developmental guidelines, mentorship programmes, establishment of social infrastructures and funding that will enable innovation and entrepreneurship thrive in the country.

He stated that it is necessary to harness the talents of Nigerian youth and exploit potential for their individual benefits and that of the country, adding that the country has a global competitive advantage due to its large population of young people.

While stating that technology is the major driver of economy globally with people as its critical component, he opined that enormous attention should be given to the needs of innovators in order to create a flourishing and innovative ecosystem in the country.

Speaking on possible areas of collaboration with LEAP Africa, the NITDA boss said that the newly enacted Nigeria Startup Act is an instrument both organisations can leverage to unlock and ignite activities in the innovative and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

He said, “the Act has been signed into law, the Council has been inaugurated, we have developed the implementation framework and we need partners to work together to implement it. We believe in collaboration because we cannot succeed in isolation. So, we need to work together as an ecosystem to achieve that”.

Giving further insight into the ingenuity and prospects of the Act, the DG revealed that the implementation committee has been further broken down into sub-committees to identify thematic areas in catalysing the process.

While highlighting Ecosystem Development, Capacity Building, Funding, Tax and Fiscal Incentives as some of the thematic areas identified, he gave his assurance that the Federal Government is committed to giving infrastructural support to boost the ecosystem, engaging in massive programmes to build capacities in soft skills, providing adequate funding into the ecosystem and influence policies that will act as an enabler to the ecosystem.

Inuwa added that the National Outsourcing Strategy and the National Digital Talent Strategy are other initiatives developed by the agency in upskilling players within the innovative and entrepreneurship ecosystem thereby making them marketable globally.

He added that innovation hub clusters would be built across the country to develop the capacities of talented Nigerian youths and make them marketable globally.

“We want focus on services which are digitally driven and provide the talent to build those services. You can live in Nigeria, then connect to the global value chain and earn better. You don’t need to travel and that’s what will help us to build the Nigeria we want”, he said.

While giving her remark earlier, Kehinde Ayeni said that LEAP Africa in its 20 years of existence has been involved in several projects such as the Social Innovation Programme, Nigerian Youths Futures Fund and the iLEAD programme to build capacities of youth and bridge the digital divide in the country.

She however expressed the organisation’s desire to partner with NITDA to leverage Information Technology in creating solutions to challenges daunting the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country.

“As we continue to look at our impact over the last 20 years, one of the shortcomings that we found is what technology could do for us and the power of innovation in ensuring that the Nigeria and Africa that we are striving for is possible”, she concluded.

The beneficiaries of the seed funding include Ayilara Assurance Oluchi, CEO of OnePad Reusable Pad, Nigeria; Lamin Ceesay, CEO of Karakunku Farm, the Gambia; Aminu Moses Rex, CEO Delfak Nigeria Ltd; Claude Albert Moghomaye, CEO, Bertec, Cameroon; Michael Osumune, CEO, Moon Innovations, Nigeria; Adeyemi Tunde, Ceo, D-Olivette Global Enterprise, Nigeria and Olawale Thompson, CEO, Planet Savers Global Ltd, Nigeria.

Other beneficiaries include James Thuch Madhier, South-Sudan; Ligare Allan, Kenya; Siwelwa Lazarous, Zambia; and Gerasia Laurent Andrea, Tanzania.

The three-month Fellowship was organized by Sahara Foundation in collaboration with LEAP AFRICA, a youth-focused leadership development nonprofit organization; and Impact Amplifier, a social enterprise that accelerates the investment readiness, growth and capital provision of high impact, innovative social enterprises in Africa.

The objective of the Fellowship is to better equip African social entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skill sets required to build sustainable businesses, capable of addressing the continent’s challenges.

Faced with challenges such as inadequate energy, waste management, unemployment, poverty, climate challenges occasioned by drought, flooding, extreme heat etc.

These African social innovators are helping to address Africa’s social economic issues with their business models.

The need to accelerate Africa’s growth in access to energy and promote sustainable environments across the continent, inspired the creation of the Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme. We believe that Africa’s biggest challenges need diverse, local problem solvers and Sahara Foundation is helping to identify and empower these social solution providers.

Speaking on the motivation behind the Fund during the SIF close out ceremony, Pearl Uzokwe, Director, Sahara Foundation commented that Sahara Foundation is committed to impacting lives and building sustainable societies across Africa.

She said, “The Sahara Impact Fund was set up to help close the gap in energy equality in Africa, as well as promote sustainable environment through the empowerment of creative social entrepreneurs working to move Africa from a continent of potentials to actualization”.

Uzokwe urged the social entrepreneurs to use the training and funds received from the programme to advance their business dreams and congratulated all 21 Fellows who participated in this year’s programme.

Also addressing the Fellows at the close out ceremony, Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder, Leap Africa, congratulated the Fellows for successfully completing the programme.

Nwuneli implored them to make good use of the knowledge acquired and help improve Africa’s development with their ideas and abilities. She also thanked Sahara Foundation for powering this initiative and commended their commitment to advancing Social Development Goal (SDG) 17 – Partnership for the Goals.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Lazarous Siwelwa from Zambia, expressed excitement and gratitude on behalf of the 2022 Fellows.

Siwelwa thanked Sahara Foundation, Leap Africa, and Impact Amplifier for putting together such a rewarding experience that exposed them to quality business knowledge, tools, and networks guaranteed to impact their businesses for good.

In closing, Uzokwe speaking to the Fellows again, stated, “This is not the end”.

The Sahara Foundation is looking to continue this relationship and we urge you all as ambassadors to go out there and strengthen your businesses and each other.

Leverage this network and build impactful social enterprises. As social entrepreneurs, Africa’s future depends on your actions today.

The week-long campaign with the theme – Youthful and Useful – kicked off with a pre-event press conference in Lagos and was activated between Friday, 12th – Saturday, 18th August 2022.

During its activation, youth across the continent came out in large numbers to accentuate the strength and possibilities of their agency in actualising a sustainable future through volunteerism and community service.

With much confidence and unity of purpose, every young person who participated in the initiative had one sentence to convey their message – “We are Youthful and Useful”.

Through a partnership with Dow Africa – as a headline sponsor – LEAP Africa was able to mobilise over 5,000 young people across 34 African countries to champion and implement projects including tree planting, school painting, food drives, beach cleaning, digital sensitisation, medical outreach, prison outreach, etc.

The projects led by individuals, corporations, public and social sector organisations were aligned with the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

Sami Mainich, Managing Director, Dow Northern and Western Africa, and Chair of Dow Africa Steering Committee, in his comments expatiated on the goal behind Dow’s partnership with Leap Africa: “Dow recognises that the future is created by what is done today through empowerment, collaboration, and deliberate investments in the communities we live and work in.

As global citizens, we believe in dedicating our time and talents to challenges and opportunities that connect science, people, and community across the globe to achieve our envisioned world built on human creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.

This is achievable only when the youth are empowered to realize their full potential. As such, we partnered with Leap Africa on the Youth Day of Service campaign to develop and support solutions that spark positive change and builds resilient, sustainable communities”.

At the end of the week-long project implementation, about 620 projects and over 5000 volunteers were registered via a dedicated portal from 34 participating African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Mali, Niger, Madagascar, Ghana, The Gambia, Cameroon, Uganda, South Sudan, and South Africa.

The purpose of the Youth Day of Service campaign continues long after the annual celebration of International Youth Day. There are so many ways to continue participation as an organisation or an individual.

You can initiate a project, sponsor or fund a project, or volunteer for an existing project either as an individual or staff of an organization.