LEAP Africa, IYF Launches Youth Enterprise Funding Initiative

Sunday Ehigiator

LEAP Africa, a non-profit leadership development organisation, in partnership with the International Youth Foundation (IYF), a global youth development organisation has recently launched the Youth Enterprise Fund (YEF) initiative targeted at empowering 10 Nigerian social innovators with a grant of $10,000 each in funding

In a statement from the partnership, they revealed that the initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and it seeks to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary resources and financial backing to turn their ideas into reality.

“The pitch event constitutes a qualifying stage for the Youth Enterprise Fund which aims to reward ten Nigerian social innovators with a grant of $10,000 each in funding with capacity building focused on the specific needs and requirements of each social enterprise, to deepen the impact of their work across Nigeria.

“By investing in the next generation of young innovative leaders, the YEF aims to drive economic growth, job creation, and social development in Africa. Both the IYF and LEAP Africa are renowned for their unwavering commitment to youth.”

Speaking at the official launch of the initiative, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, highlighted the importance of innovators being disruptors, stating that, “Irrespective of how developed a nation is, there is the necessity for disruptors. We need disruptors to alleviate poverty in Nigeria as we cannot continue to rely on the government.”

Joining the event virtually, the Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East, International Youth Foundation, Ronnie Murungu, stated that for over two decades, IYF has been championing the importance of social entrepreneurship and this focus birthed the collaboration with LEAP Africa ten years ago.