LEAP AFRICA Social Innovators Programme Fellowship

The Social Innovators Programme (SIP) is a flagship 9-month fellowship by LEAP Africa designed to empower young African social entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to scale their impact and drive sustainable change across the continent.

The program addresses the critical gaps in early-stage social enterprises—such as funding, strategic mentorship, and organizational capacity—by providing a holistic growth ecosystem.

Key Benefits:

• Intensive Training: 4–6 weeks of rigorous virtual sessions covering enterprise design, funding models, financial controls, and market growth strategies.

• Dedicated Mentorship: 4 months of one-on-one mentorship with industry experts to refine business operations.

• AI for Impact: A specialized module on leveraging AI and digital tools to improve operational efficiency and reach.

• Funding & Visibility: Opportunities to pitch to a pool of international investors and policymakers during the grand finale Awards ceremony.

• Alumni Network: Lifetime access to a network of 294+ social innovators across 14 African countries who have collectively raised over $7.8 million.

The fellowship is open to passionate young leaders across all 54 African nations.

1. Personal Requirements

• Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old as of April 2026.

• Nationality: Must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African nation.

• Language: Professional proficiency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.

2. Venture Requirements

• Role: Must be a founder or co-founder of the enterprise.

• Experience: The social venture must have at least one (1) year of proven impact.

• Location: The enterprise must be geographically located and operating within a local community in Africa.

• Sectors: Open to all fields, including Agriculture, Technology, Climate Action, Health, Education, and Affordable Energy.

3. Program Commitment

• Time: Must be able to commit to the full duration of the program from April to October 2026 (approx. 12–14 hours per month).

• Attendance: Full participation is required for graduation; no more than three absences are allowed throughout the fellowship.

Exceptional fellows are recognized during the final ceremony with specific prizes:

• Outstanding Fellow Awards: For three fellows demonstrating significant growth.

• Seyi Bickersteth Prize: For excellence in financial accountability and transparency.

• Innocent Chukwuma Prize: For alumni contributing to youth mobilization and gender empowerment in SE Nigeria.