Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) has announced a strategic partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA) to expand green innovation and youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
The collaboration will bring JLA’s renowned greenlabs incubation program to Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in efforts to foster youth-centered green solutions, climate innovation, and sustainability across West Africa.
The executive director of CADEF, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, in a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP, said: “Our partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Africa represents a powerful alignment of our shared values and goals. With the right tools, resources, and mentorship, we believe that Nigerian youths can become the driving force behind the country’s green transition. By equipping them to lead in this emerging sector, we are not only addressing unemployment but also fostering sustainable economic growth.”
CADEF’s commitment to youth development is well-established, as evidenced by the success of the Fingreen Financial Literacy Programme, which was launched in August 2023. As a key implementing partner, CADEF equipped over 800 Nigerian youths with essential financial knowledge and skills, empowering them to navigate today’s complex economic landscape. In a similar vein, CADEF is currently advancing the Digital Financial Services project, which is training over 100 People with Disabilities (PWDs), including visually and hearing-impaired Nigerian youths.
The project aims to enhance financial inclusion and independence by providing critical digital financial literacy skills and advocating for stronger policies to support their needs. Building on these successes, CADEF is now strategically focusing on the green economy as a powerful avenue to further empower Nigerian youth.
Through this new partnership, CADEF and JLA will establish greenlabs in Nigeria, an early-stage startup 9-month incubation program designed to support young entrepreneurs in building scalable green ventures. The program will begin with the Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge – Lagos Edition, inviting young innovators to propose solutions that leverage renewable energy technologies to combat climate change and improve energy access.
“This partnership is an exciting development in our mission to empower the next generation to lead Africa’s green transition. By launching greenlabs in Nigeria, we are not only expanding our reach but also tapping into the incredible potential of Nigerian youth to drive sustainable economic growth through green innovation,” the chief executive officer and co-founder of Jacob’s Ladder Africa, Sellah Bogonko, averred.
Applications for the Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge will open this early September, offering successful applicants mentorship from experienced professionals and academics, along with opportunities to secure pre-seed funding for their startups. Additionally, all finalists will be considered for sponsorship into the greenLabs incubation program, ensuring their ideas have the support needed to grow and thrive. As the partnership progresses, CADEF and JLA are confident that their combined efforts will lead to significant advancements in Nigeria’s green economy, providing young entrepreneurs with the platform they need to turn their innovative ideas into reality.
