LEAP Africa has reaffirmed the continent’s rising global status as a centre of creativity and innovation as it hosted the 12th edition of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) in Lagos on Thursday. The annual gathering brought together young innovators, policymakers, financiers, development experts, and partners from across Africa to explore how technology, finance and policy can unlock new opportunities for the continent.
This year’s SIPA was held under the theme “Africa as THE Sector: Maximising Possibilities through Technology, Finance, and Policy.” According to a statement from the organisers, the concept challenges old narratives that describe Africa only as an emerging market. Instead, SIPA argued that Africa must now be recognised as a sector of global influence, powered by a generation of ambitious and tech-enabled young innovators who are pushing boundaries across various fields.
In her opening remarks, Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, reaffirmed the organisation’s long-standing commitment to strengthening youth leadership and supporting young Africans driving social change in their communities. She noted that the continent’s next phase of development will rely heavily on innovation and collaboration led by young people.
This message was echoed by Managing Director of JNC International and Board Chair of LEAP Africa, Clare Omatseye, who delivered a strong welcome address celebrating the resilience and boldness of young innovators. She urged stakeholders across sectors to work more closely with youth-led initiatives.
“Collaboration is innovation, and innovation is the engine of transformation. We need tripartite collaboration. The time is now for Africa,” Omatseye said.
The event featured several well-known speakers and ecosystem leaders who shared ideas on how Africa can accelerate progress by investing in people, technology, and supportive policies. Some of the speakers included Tochukwu Ezeukwu, Regional Director for West Africa at Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance; Michael Onyango, Founder of Africa’s Forgotten Bottom Millions; Karina Karunwi, West Africa Regional Chapter Head at Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs; Angelou Ezeilo, Co-President of Ashoka Africa; Tunde Onakoya, Founder of Chess in Slums Africa; and Elhadji Soumare, Deputy Chief of Party, Entrepreneuriat & Investissement, Senegal.
Others present were Samuel Austin-Efosa, Partnerships Manager at Impact Investors Foundation; Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director at UN Global Compact Network Nigeria; Chimdindu Onwudiegbu, Associate Partner at Dalberg, Nigeria; Victor Ndiege, CEO of Kenya Climate Ventures; Dr Val Okaru-Bisant, Founder of Afrocosmo Development Impact LLC; Dr Nneka Okekearu, Director at the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University; Marie-Noelle Nwokolo, Coordinator of G-20 Compact with Africa; Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, Founder and CEO of Zer Consulting Africa; Abimbola Ogundare, Lead for Strategy and Transactions, Deloitte West Africa; Oguche Agudah, Founder of HRISP Partners; Henry Ukoha, Lead at Future Studio, Benin Republic; and Amy Gillett, Academy Head at the William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan.
Participants also engaged in different Solution Labs aimed at exploring practical ideas for development. One of the sessions was the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund Hackathon, led by Elisabeth Agbiti-Douglas, where young innovators presented pitches addressing pressing societal challenges. Another was the UNDP-led Solution Lab on “Creative Expressions as Catalysts for Location-Specific Progress,” which examined how culture and creativity contribute to inclusive development.
A collaborative session for Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs), led by Karina Karunwi, also examined how policy, finance and technology shape the entrepreneurship landscape, and how ESOs can strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Insights from these sessions highlighted opportunities to scale youth-led projects and deepen partnerships that support long-term development.
Two panel sessions added more depth to the discussions. The first, moderated by Chimdindu Onwudiegbu, focused on “From Village to Virtual: Closing Africa’s Digital Divide with Smart Policy and Investment.” The conversation centred on how targeted investment and effective policymaking can improve technology access in underserved communities. The second panel, moderated by LEAP Africa’s Director of Programmes and Partnerships, Amabelle Nwakanma, discussed “Seeds & Servers: Cultivating Sector-Tech Innovation in Africa,” emphasising that the continent’s prosperity depends on strong innovation systems backed by bold policy reforms and financial support.
The event concluded with the 2025 SIPA Awards Ceremony, which honoured outstanding young changemakers from different African countries. Abdulateef Olaosebikan of Nafarm Foods won the Social Impact Award, while Samuel Folorunsho of Legis 360 received the Outstanding Innovator Award. They were selected from more than 70 nominations submitted for this year’s competition.
For more than 10 years, SIPA has contributed to shaping Africa’s social innovation landscape by supporting young leaders, strengthening investment in youth-led initiatives, and shifting global narratives about Africa’s potential. LEAP Africa says it remains committed to helping the next generation of innovators build solutions that positively impact communities across the continent.
