What is the Social Innovators Programme?

LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme (SIP) is an accelerator fellowship that empowers young changemakers through a holistic approach to building their capacity, connections and credibility. It was borne out of the understanding of the challenges faced by most young social enterprises faced with challenges such as early-stage funding, resource and connection deficit that hamper their growth and sustainability.

Who is eligible to apply for the program?

All of the following eligibility criteria must be met by applicants in order to be accepted into the Social Innovators Programme.Citizenship/Residency:You must meet one of the criteria below:You are a citizen of an African nation ORYou are a permanent resident of an African nation.Geographic Focus: Your current and future enterprise is geographically located in a local community in an African nation.Leadership Experience: You have founded or co-founded a social venture(s) with at least one (1) year of impact.Age: You will be between 18 – and 35-years-old on February 20th, 2023.Language Proficiency: You are professionally proficient in English (spoken and written). applications must be completed in English.Program Commitment: You can commit to fully participating in the entire duration of the program between February 20th and October 26, 2023, which may include an in-person site visits in late June or early July, and up to 12 hours of virtual learning per month.Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of a venture that has not previously participated in the LEAP Africa Social Innovators programme, and only one co-founder per enterprise may apply.Participants should have no more than three absences in order to complete the program and graduate from the fellowship.

What type of person is an ideal candidate for this program?

Aside from the specific eligibility criteria listed above, the ideal candidate:The ideal candidate is the founder or co-founder of a social enterprise or social innovation. One who has a clear idea of the problem being solved.The ideal candidate is focused on providing a lasting, and sustainable solution to the problem(s) being tackled. has come up with an INNOVATIVE solution and is willing to scale this innovation into an enterprise.The ideal candidate has demonstrated that their work/enterprise has had a measurable impact in advancing progress on the problem being solved.The Ideal candidates demonstrates respect and inclusion to other candidates irrespective of gender, nationality, education levels, races, or religions. They are eager to collaborate and share opportunities with others. Ideal candidates are open to learning from others, regardless of their experience level. They bring curiosity and an open mind and are willing to share their experiences and knowledge with their cohort.

What kind of sessions should I expect as part of the program?

The Social Innovators Programme is designed to build capacity, connections and credibility for social innovators. This is achieved through a 5-day physical enterprise sustainability workshop, virtual Coaching and networking Calls; Immersive one-on-one Mentoring session; Monthly virtual webinar sessions and site visits. All sessions are mandatory, exemption from a session must be made with prior notice to the SIP team. Full participation in these sessions would determine graduation from the fellowship. There may be occasional optional sessions that highlight special and or timely opportunities. In total, participants can expect to dedicate an average of 12–14 hours per month over the course of the fellowship.

What is the deadline for submitting my application?

The 2023 Social Innovators Programme application will close at 11:59 PM (WAT), on Sunday November 27th 2023. In order to avoid technical glitches or other problems due to issues such as internet access, we strongly advise you to complete the application early. Due to the number of applications, we receive, LEAP Africa cannot be responsible for applications that are not submitted on time, regardless of the reason.

I am having technical issues submitting my application. What can I do?

Please contact sipa@leapafrica.org to submit a complaint immediately.

What happens if I am unable to complete my application before the deadline?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications after the deadline.

Is there an education requirement for admission?

No, there is no education requirement for admission to the LEAP Africa Social innovators programme, but applicant but be proficient in writing and conversing in English language.

Does my social impact work have to be my full-time profession to be eligible?

No. Candidates do not have to be doing their social impact work full-time or as their main profession to be eligible. The ideal candidate is focused on providing a lasting, sustainable and innovative solution to the problem(s) being tackled.

Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA)

In 2004, LEAP Africa launched the Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards (ANYLA) to recognize young Nigerians driving positive transformation, countering the prevalent negative narratives of youth restiveness in the media. Hosted annually in Lagos, the event celebrated youth contributions to national development.

By 2013, LEAP Africa observed a rise in youth-led social innovation but identified critical gaps in essential skills, funding, and support needed to sustain impactful initiatives. This led to the creation of the Social Innovators Programme (SIP), an accelerator fellowship designed to empower young changemakers with capacity-building, resource access, and networking opportunities. The program addresses challenges faced by early-stage social enterprises, equipping them to scale their impact and drive sustainable change across Africa.

The fellowship culminates in the Social Innovators Programme Awards (SIPA), which celebrates outstanding fellows and inducts a new cohort. At SIPA, exceptional social entrepreneurs are showcased and recognized for their innovative contributions to social change, solidifying LEAP Africa’s commitment to nurturing Africa’s next generation of leaders.

The Social Innovators Programme

LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Programme is a 9-month fellowship programme that recognises the importance and potential of social innovation and has designed a programme that addresses systemic issues and promotes sustainable development by equipping early-stage social entrepreneurs with the much-needed support, resources, and knowledge they need to close the gap that hinder their growth and development. We do this by building the capacity of social entrepreneurs through an extensive curriculum focused on three main pillars: organisational capacity strengthening, access to funding and market access, exposing them to a pool of investors, experts, mentors and networks that will enhance their access to funding to eliminate obstacles hindering social enterprise growth in Africa.

Our SIP Alumni

Over the past 11 years, the Social Innovators programme has supported and equipped over 260 social innovators across the African continent who have gone ahead to scale their enterprises, make meaningful impact on societies, and receive international recognition. We believe that social entrepreneurs are the key to developing Africa’s economy. Our goal is to strengthen and advance youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa through training and collaborative partnerships that enhance the sustainability of the overall impact of social ventures.