Sahara Group Awards $55,000 Seed Capital to 11 African Social Innovators
Sahara Group, an integrated energy company, has awarded $5,000 each as seed capital to 11 African social innovators who successfully completed its 2022 Sahara Impact Fund (SIF) Fellowship programme.
The three-month Fellowship, which was organized by Sahara Foundation in collaboration with LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development nonprofit organization and impact amplifier, was aimed at equipping African social entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skill sets required to build sustainable businesses, capable of addressing common challenges confronting the continent such as energy poverty, waste management, unemployment, poverty, and climate related challenges like drought, flood, extreme heat, among others.
Related Posts
Speaking during the SIF close out ceremony, the Director of Sahara Foundation, Pearl Uzokwe, said that the objective of the seed capital to social innovators is to bridge the gap in energy equality and promote sustainable environment.
“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 said.
Uzokwe charged the social innovators to leverage the training and funds received from the programme to advance their business dreams.
“This is not the end,” she stated. “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 beneficiaries of the seed capital include
- the CEO of Gare Holdings, Kenya, Ligare Allan Muliru;
- CEO of Rainmaker Enterprise, South Sudan, James Thuch Madhier;
- the CEO of African Powdered Eggs, Tanzania, Gerasia Laurent Andrea; and
- the CEO of Virgin Green Renewal Energy, Zambia, Siwelwa Lazarous. Others are:
- the CEO of OnePad Reusable Pad, Nigeria, Ayilara Assurance Oluchi;
- the CEO of Karakunku Farm, the Gambia, Lamin Ceesay;
- the CEO Delfak Nigeria Ltd, Aminu Moses Rex;
- the CEO, Bertec, Cameroon, Claude Albert Moghomaye;
- the CEO of Moon Innovations, Nigeria, Michael Osumune;
- the CEO of D-Olivette Global Enterprise, Nigeria, Adeyemi Tunde; and
- the CEO, Planet Savers Global Ltd, Nigeria, Olawale Thompson.
