LEAP positions Africa as global innovation hub

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LEAP Africa has reaffirmed Africa’s growing status as a global centre of innovation as it hosted the 12th edition of its Social Innovators Programme and Awards in Lagos on Thursday.

The 12th SIPA, a gathering of young innovators, policymakers, financiers, and development leaders, was held under the theme ‘Africa as THE Sector: Maximising Possibilities through Technology, Finance, and Policy’.

In a statement from the organisers following the award, it was indicated that the convening explored how Africa, long framed as an emerging market, must now be recognised as a sector of creativity, investment, and transformative influence, driven by a generation of ambitious, technologically enabled young innovators.

In her opening remarks, Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to youth-led transformation.

This message was reinforced by Managing Director, JNC International, and Board Chair, LEAP Africa, Clare Omatseye, who delivered a powerful welcome address celebrating the audacity and resilience of young African innovators.

“Collaboration is innovation, and innovation is the engine of transformation. We need tripartite collaboration. The time is now for Africa,” she added.

The event featured prominent speakers and ecosystem leaders who shared insights on unlocking Africa’s potential through systemic investment and policy alignment.

They include Tochukwu Ezeukwu, Regional Director West Africa, Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance; Founder, Africa’s Forgotten Bottom Millions, Michael Onyango; West Africa Regional Chapter Head, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, Karina Karunwi; Co-President, Ashoka Africa, Angelou Ezeilo; Founder, Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya; Deputy Chief of Party, Entrepreneuriat & Investissement, Senegal, Elhadji Soumare; Founder, Eco Platform and Partnerships Manager, Impact Investors Foundation, Samuel Austin-Efosa; Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Naomi Nwokolo; Associate Partner, Dalberg, Nigeria, Chimdindu Onwudiegbu; Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Climate Ventures, Nairobi, Victor Ndiege; CEO, Founder, and General Counsel of Afrocosmo Development Impact, LLC, Dr Val Okaru-Bisant; Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Nneka Okekearu; Coordinator, G-20 Compact with Africa, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo; Founder & CEO, Zer Consulting Africa, Adeolu Adewumi-Zer; Lead, Deloitte West Africa Strategy and Transactions, Abimbola Ogundare; Founder HRISP Partners, Oguche Agudah; Lead, Future Studio, Benin Republic, Henry Ukoha; and Academy Head, William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan, USA, Amy Gillett.

Participants engaged in parallel Solution Labs, including the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund Hackathon, led by Elisabeth Agbiti-Douglas, which witnessed several powerful pitches by young innovators; the UNDP-led solution lab on ‘Creative Expressions as Catalysts for Location-Specific Progress’, which explored how culture and creativity drive inclusive development; and the Enterprise Support Organisations Collaborative Session led by Karina Karunwi, Regional Chapter Head, West Africa. This session examined the impact, challenges and opportunities for policy, finance and technology on the continent and the role ESOs can play in shaping the future of Africa. Presentations from these sessions provided actionable insights on scaling youth-led solutions and deepening sector-wide partnerships.

The first panel session with the topic, ‘From Village to Virtual: Closing Africa’s Digital Divide with Smart Policy and Investment’, moderated by Associate Partner, Dalberg, Nigeria, Chimdindu Onwudiegbu, explored how targeted investment and smart policymaking can unlock prosperity for underserved communities. The second panel session, moderated by Director of Programmes & Partnerships at LEAP Africa, Amabelle Nwakanma, on ‘Seeds & Servers: Cultivating Sector-Tech Innovation in Africa’, emphasised that Africa’s future prosperity lies at the intersection of innovation, investment, and bold policy reform.

The event culminated in the SIPA Awards Ceremony, honouring outstanding young changemakers across Africa. Awards presented included the Social Impact Award category, which was won by Abdulateef Olaosebikan of Nafarm Foods, while the Outstanding Innovator Award was bagged by Samuel Folorunsho of Legis 360. These exceptional social innovators emerged as winners from over 70 award nomination entries.

The PUNCH reports that for over a decade, SIPA has catalysed impact investing, shifted narratives, and strengthened Africa’s innovation pipeline.

Oluwakemi is a Senior Correspondent with The PUNCH. She has over 10 years experience across digital and traditional journalism spheres, and currently covers the Capital Market.

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