Lagos: The Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Ms. Kehinde Ayeni, announced at the 12th edition of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) in Lagos that Africa is increasingly becoming a global hub for innovation. The event, themed ‘Africa as The Sector: Maximising Possibilities through Technology, Finance and Policy,’ focused on the continent’s transformative potential.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ayeni emphasized that LEAP Africa remains committed to youth-led transformation across the continent. She pointed out that young Africans are redefining problem-solving through technology and creativity. The event brought together innovators, policymakers, financiers, and development partners to advance Africa’s innovation ecosystem, underscoring the continent’s transition from an emerging market to a vibrant sector of creativity and investment.
Mrs. Claire Omatseye, the Board Chair of LEAP Africa and Managing Director of JNC International, highlighted the importance of collaboration as a key driver of innovation. She affirmed that Africa’s time to lead global transformation has arrived. Omatseye noted that SIPA has been instrumental in strengthening Africa’s innovation pipeline by supporting young changemakers and showcasing scalable solutions. The 2025 edition of SIPA reaffirms Africa’s role as a key driver in shaping the world’s future.
The event featured panel discussions, solution labs, speed talks, and award presentations to outstanding social innovators. Speakers from various sectors, including venture philanthropy, entrepreneurship, climate, policy, and development, stressed the importance of targeted investment, policy alignment, and strengthened innovation infrastructure for sustaining Africa’s growth.
Participants took part in specialized solution labs, such as the NYFF Hackathon, a UNDP-led session on creative expressions for inclusive development, and an enterprise support organizations roundtable. These sessions examined the role of policy, technology, and finance in accelerating innovation.
The first panel session, titled ‘From Village to Virtual,’ explored ways to bridge Africa’s digital divide through smart policy and investment. The second session, ‘Seeds and Servers,’ emphasized that Africa’s long-term prosperity lies in the fusion of innovation, investment, and bold reforms.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of SIPA Awards. Abdulateef Olaosebikan of Nafarm Foods received the Social Impact Award, while Samuel Folorunsho of Legis 360 was named Outstanding Innovator. These winners were selected from over 70 nominees, showcasing the breadth of talent and innovation across the continent.
LEAP Africa is a youth-focused leadership development organization working across areas such as education, entrepreneurship, employability, citizenship, and wellbeing.