Social Innovators Programme
The Social Innovators Programme (SIP) is a 6-month fellowship that recognises the transformative potential of social innovation in Africa. The programme is designed to address systemic challenges and promote sustainable development by providing early-stage social entrepreneurs with the essential skills, resources, knowledge and support needed to overcome barriers to growth and development.
For the past 11 years, LEAP Africa, through the SIP, has empowered over 294 young social innovators, transforming the lives of over 4 million people across 14 African countries, with over $7.8 million in funding and revenue generated.
This programme is for young Africans between 18-35 years of age with Social Enterprises addressing challenges within Africa. Fellows are drawn from a variety of fields such as; Agriculture, Technology, Climate Action, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Workforce Development.
Fellows will participate in 4-6 weeks of intensive virtual sessions, 4 months of mentorship, and converge physically at the end of the programme for the Awards ceremony. Fellows will have the opportunity to present their social enterprises to potential investors, funders, and policymakers.
For the past 11 years, LEAP Africa, through the SIP, has empowered over 294 young social innovators, transforming the lives of over 4 million people across 14 African countries, with over $7.8 million in funding and revenue generated.
This programme is for young Africans between 18-35 years of age with Social Enterprises addressing challenges within Africa. Fellows are drawn from a variety of fields such as; Agriculture, Technology, Climate Action, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Workforce Development.
Fellows will participate in 4-6 weeks of intensive virtual sessions, 4 months of mentorship, and converge physically at the end of the programme for the Awards ceremony. Fellows will have the opportunity to present their social enterprises to potential investors, funders, and policymakers.
Benefits of the Programme
- Global Recognition, Local Impact – SIP is a fellowship accredited by the Global Innovation Institute (GINI), which provides selected fellows a chance to stand out, gain trust, credibility, and a competitive edge
- Exclusive Access to Diversified Capital – Through SIP, fellows can secure opportunities to exclusive deal rooms, grants, equity, and venture philanthropy from giants like Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV), and a host of others through our curated investor networks.
- One-to-one Mentorship from Industry Titans – Fellows will learn from industry leaders for over three months and be coached by mentors who have scaled ventures from Michigan to Nairobi. These mentors are matched to your sector and enterprise goals.
- Build Scalable Profit and Purpose – Fellows will learn how to turn “good ideas” into game-changing ROI. Master a revenue-driven, human-centric model that multiplies social impact and attracts investors.
- Vibrant Community of Practice – Fellows will join a movement led by young leaders to drive collaborative, systemic change across Africa.
Programme Components
- The Enterprise Sustainability workshop - Fellows will be introduced to an array of modules and activities designed to equip them with skills and knowledge to run sustainable social enterprises.
- The Specialised Sessions – Fellows will be provided with additional technical assistance and support in priority areas identified during their organisational capacity assessments. These sessions are tailored to address specific needs, ensuring that fellows receive targeted guidance to strengthen their enterprises.
- Mentorship – Fellows will be matched with mentors—seasoned professionals selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to the fellows' enterprises. This mentorship phase fosters continuous learning and development, as mentors provide strategic advice and guidance crucial to ensuring the sustainability of the fellows' social enterprises.
- The Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) – At the SIPA, fellows will have opportunities to be showcased to potential investors, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders. They will have access to exclusive deal rooms. The Outstanding Fellows will be recognized and awarded during the SIPA event.
Program Fee
The programme fee is $250 or 375,000.
Early bird registration is $200 or N300,000 with limited slots.
Payment in Instalments: For this payment structure, social innovators who are selected will make the $250 or N375,000 payment in three (3) instalments of $150, $50 and $50 (N275,000, N50,000 and #50,000) respectively.
Payment in Instalments: For this payment structure, social innovators who are selected will make the $250 or N375,000 payment in three (3) instalments of $150, $50 and $50 (N275,000, N50,000 and #50,000) respectively.
Social Innovators Programme
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.
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 Awards
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 296 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.
Social Innovators Programme FELLOWSHIP
Join our waiting list for an update on the next call for application
Join to be a part of the Fellowship
AWARD CATERGORIES
Outstanding Fellow Awards
Three fellows who have distinguished themselves during the course of the fellowship year and recorded significant growth in their enterprises.
Mr Seyi Bickersteth Prize
One fellow who has translated the learning and professional insights acquired from the fellowship programme into upholding financial accountability, transparency and sustainability in their social enterprise.
Mr Innocent Chukwuma Prize
One of the alumni on the Social Innovators Programme will be given this award in recognition of their contribution to gender empowerment and youth mobilization in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
Our Reach and Impact
The initiatives of Fellows cover various aspects of the society, such as Agriculture, Youth Empowerment, Education, Science & Technology, Health, Law, Human Rights, among others.
Social entrepreneurs in 11 years
0
In the last 5 years, fellows’ social enterprises have employed over 400 people across Africa
0
In the last four years, fellows have attracted funding and generated revenue in excess of
$
0
M+
Countries - Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cameroon, Burundi, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Gambia.
0
have formally registered their ventures and instituted a board of directors
0
%
Industry experts have served as mentors, since the mentorship component was introduced in 2017
90
+
Cumulatively, the impact numbers & reach of their social enterprises have grown by 80%
0
%
have received international recognition by prestigious Pan-African and global bodies
0
%
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.
Which nations are eligible to be a part of the Social Innovators Programme?
All African countries
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 OR
You 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 (3) year of impact.
Age: You will be between 18 – and 35-years-old on June 30th, 2025.
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 July 1st to November 28th, 2025.
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.
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.
2023 Conference Report
The post conference report is a representation of the activities and events that occurred at the 2023 Social Innovators Programmes and Awards (SIPA).
Our Partners
