LEAP Africa Hosts Social Innovators Programme, Awards In Lagos

LEAP Africa has hosted the 12th edition of its annual Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) in Lagos, reaffirming Africa’s growing influence as a global hub for innovation.

The event, held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, brought together policymakers, financiers, development partners and leading ecosystem players under the theme: “Africa as THE Sector: Maximising Possibilities through Technology, Finance, and Policy.”

The 2025 gathering explored Africa’s emerging role as a centre of creativity and investment, primarily driven by young, tech-enabled innovators. The event featured panel discussions, solution labs, Speed Talks by changemakers, and the recognition of outstanding social enterprises.

In her opening remarks, LEAP Africa’s Executive Director, Kehinde Ayeni, restated the organisation’s commitment to youth-led development. Clare Omatseye, Board Chair and Managing Director of JNC International, also commended young African innovators, emphasising the importance of collaboration.

“Collaboration is innovation, and innovation is the engine of transformation. We need tripartite collaboration.

The time is now for Africa,” she said.

The event brought together key leaders and experts, including Tochukwu Ezeukwu of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance; Hon. Michael Onyango, Founder of Africa’s Forgotten Bottom Millions (4BM); Karina Karunwi of Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE); Angelou Ezeilo, Co-President, Ashoka Africa; Tunde Onakoya, Founder, Chess in Slums Africa; and several executives from global and regional development organisations.

Speakers emphasised the need for systemic investments, supportive policies and multi-stakeholder collaboration to unlock the continent’s innovation potential.

Participants also joined various solution labs, including the NYFF Hackathon led by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, a UNDP session on creative expressions for development, and an Enterprise Support Organisations (ESO) collaborative lab focused on policy, finance and technology. These sessions generated actionable recommendations for scaling youth-led solutions.

Two panel sessions examined strategies for expanding digital inclusion, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and leveraging technology for development. Moderators included Dalberg’s Chimdindu Onwudiegbu and LEAP Africa’s Director of Programmes & Partnerships, Amabelle Nwakanma.