Pamoja Awards $90,000 Seed Grants To Enterprises From Nigeria, Others

The Pamoja Founders Project, a collaborative regional leadership development program by IREX, the PepsiCo Foundation, and PepsiCo has granted $15,000 each to six leading African enterprises as catalytic support.

The announcement followed a competitive pitch competition held in Nairobi, Kenya, post a four-day boot camp for the Pamoja entrepreneurs. The winning enterprises, led by passionate young innovators, address critical food security challenges in their respective countries.

The catalytic grants, valued at $15,000 each, were awarded to: Dr. Akpem Shadrach, founder, Vet Konect, Nigeria; Abdul de Almeida, co-founder, Crimas, Orza and FAE, Mozambique; Juliet Namwanje, founder, Ziimba, Uganda; Brendah Nantongo, founder, Veathari Ventures Limited, Uganda; Elizabeth Okullow, founder, Agriboom, Kenya; and Nathnael Tadesse, founder & CEO, Senaryo Trading Plc, Ethiopia.

The Pamoja Founders Project provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to scale their ventures. The champions represent the diverse landscape of food security solutions across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Nigeria.

The closing ceremony featured distinguished guests including representatives from IREX, the PepsiCo Foundation, and PepsiCo; Governor Sakaja Johnson, Governor of Nairobi City County, Kenya; United States Embassy officials; and prominent figures from the business and social impact sectors. Their presence underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing food security challenges across West, East and Central Africa.

Country director for Kenya and East Africa, IREX, George Kogolla said that “we are here to celebrate and acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirits and journeys of the inaugural cohort of the Pamoja Founders Project.

“We also celebrate IREX and PepsiCo’s shared commitment to investing in promising young African leaders across the continent. As IREX marks 10 years of administering the U.S. Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship, Pamoja exemplifies our continued support for alumni of such programs and their innovative solutions for Africa’s challenges.”

Director of Leadership at IREX, Roshan Paul said “this exceptional cohort exceeded our expectations with their passion, thoughtfulness, and commitment to advancing food security across Africa.

“Pamoja has affirmed that IREX’s investment in cultivating and supporting Africa’s future leaders is paying dividends.”

Vice president – Corporate Affairs in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA), PepsiCo, Wael Ismail added that “we are committed to working with innovators and changemakers to catalyse and shape a more sustainable food system for Africa. Each of the Pamoja entrepreneurs’ ventures addressed critical challenges and we look forward to being an integral part of their journey to further success.

“IREX will support the entire cohort for the next three months as they complete the program. After the project, the Pamoja Founders will join a vibrant, supportive pan-African network of IREX alumni.”