LEAP Africa calls for investment to scale youth-led enterprises

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 organisation 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: Maximising 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.”

Also speaking on the theme, Founder/Managing Director, JNC International and LEAP Africa Board Chair, Clare Omatseye, noted that supporting social enterprises goes beyond providing seed funding,

stressing the need for stronger institutional structures, sustainable financing models and policies that

enable businesses to compete and expand.

“The future of Africa’s economy will depend significantly on our ability to build an environment where young people can create value, generate employment and grow sustainable businesses. This requires more than funding individual ideas. It demands stronger institutions, intentional partnerships and policies that make innovation commercially viable and socially impactful,” she said.