The Sahara Group Foundation has launched the ‘Making A Difference Around Africa’ (MADAA) Reloaded initiative, aiming to empower African entrepreneurs and innovators who utilize local resources to address societal challenges. This initiative, part of the Foundation’s extrapreneurship model, seeks to provide selected participants with access to markets, technology, funding, and business advisory services to scale their impact-driven solutions.
At the launch event in Lagos, Chidilim Menakaya, Director of the Sahara Group Foundation, emphasized the program’s focus on supporting entrepreneurs who harness local resources to solve real-world problems while promoting environmental sustainability. She stated that MADAA Reloaded is designed to discover and empower changemakers capable of transforming their communities.
According to Menakaya, the new phase of the programme represents a renewed commitment to building sustainable communities by identifying individuals whose creative ideas can drive positive social and economic development. “The renewed MADAA initiative represents our expanded commitment to discovering, empowering, and celebrating changemakers who can truly transform their communities,” she noted.
Applications for MADAA Reloaded are open until May 31, 2025. Shortlisting will begin in June, with the full program set to launch in the third quarter of the year. Participants will also have access to the Sahara Impact Fund, which provides additional capital to scale their ventures. The fund is intended to support long-term growth and provide entrepreneurs with the financial tools necessary to expand their businesses across the continent.
The MADAA Reloaded programme goes beyond financial aid, offering mentorship, training, and networking opportunities that will connect innovators with business leaders and investors from various sectors. The Sahara Group Foundation explained that this approach would help build a sustainable ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.
In her remarks, Menakaya said the Foundation remains focused on supporting entrepreneurs who are building solutions that contribute to Africa’s development, especially in areas like clean energy, waste management, food security, and digital inclusion. “We want to ensure that entrepreneurs across Africa are equipped with the right tools to succeed and that their ideas are not just impactful, but sustainable in the long run,” she said.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will be integrated into a broader network of the Foundation’s initiatives, giving them further visibility and access to global partnerships. The Foundation is also looking to amplify the voices and achievements of these entrepreneurs through storytelling and media exposure.
Entrepreneurs and innovators interested in joining the MADAA Reloaded initiative can submit their applications via the Sahara Group Foundation’s official website before the May 31 deadline.
