LEAP Africa has called for increased investment, stronger policy frameworks, and closer collaboration between governments and the private sector to accelerate the growth of youth-led enterprises and unlock Africa’s economic potential.
The call was made as the organization gathered over 200 young social entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders for the 13th edition of its Social Innovators Programme and Awards, held in Lagos.
Themed ‘Africa as the Sector: Maximizing Youth Agency for a Prosperous Africa – Leveraging Technology, Finance, and Policy,’ the event tackled the structural barriers stifling the growth of innovative enterprises across the continent while linking young entrepreneurs with investment, partnerships, and market opportunities.
Noting that Africa’s youth population is projected to exceed 830 million by 2050, the organisation stressed the need for an enabling environment where young people can turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses, jobs and long-term economic value.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Mrs. Kehinde Ayeni, urged stakeholders to rethink the place of youth entrepreneurship in Africa’s economic development agenda.
“For too long, conversations about Africa’s young people have focused on their potential rather than the economic value they are already creating. Across the continent, young entrepreneurs are building
businesses that address real market and development challenges. Yet, access to finance, markets and enabling policies continues to determine how far these solutions can go,” she said.
She added: “At SIPA, we are challenging investors, policymakers and business leaders to rethink how we support youth-led enterprises, not simply as beneficiaries of development interventions, but as businesses capable of driving Africa’s economic growth.”
While giving the keynote address, Country Director , Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, Rosy Fynn, said, “Our prosperity will not depend simply on how many young people we have but the power they have to
act. Financing must be designed around the realities of the people it wants to serve. It is not a one-size-fits-all. The right policy environment can make it possible for the business to thrive. We need to collaborate and find synergies rather than work on silos.”
