LEAP Africa has called for increased investment, stronger policy frameworks and greater collaboration between government and the private sector to accelerate the growth of youth-led enterprises and unlock Africa’s economic potential.
The organisation made the call at the 13th edition of its Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA), which brought together more than 200 young social entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and business leaders at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, held had the theme: ‘Africa as the Sector: Maximising Youth Agency for a Prosperous Africa – Leveraging Technology, Finance and Policy’.
It focused on addressing structural barriers limiting the growth of innovative businesses across the continent while connecting young entrepreneurs with investment opportunities, partnerships and markets.
LEAP Africa said the need to support youth-led enterprises had become more urgent, given projections that Africa’s youth population would exceed 830 million by 2050.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Mrs Kehinde Ayeni, said young entrepreneurs should be recognised as economic drivers rather than mere beneficiaries of development programmes.
She said many young Africans were already building businesses to address market gaps and pressing development challenges but remained constrained by limited access to finance, markets and supportive policies.
‘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.
Ayeni urged investors, policymakers and business leaders to rethink their approach to supporting youth-led enterprises, stressing that such businesses had the capacity to drive economic growth.
Country Director, Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, Rosy Fynn, said Africa’s prosperity would depend not merely on its growing youth population but on the opportunities available to young people to contribute meaningfully to economic development.
She called for financing models tailored to the realities of young entrepreneurs and policies that would enable their businesses to thrive.
‘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,’ she said.
Fynn also stressed the need for collaboration among stakeholders, warning against working in silos.
Founder and Managing Director of JNC International and Chairman of LEAP Africa’s Board, Clare Omatseye, said developing successful social enterprises required more than seed funding.
She identified strong institutional structures, sustainable financing models and supportive policies as essential to helping young businesses compete, expand and deliver lasting social impact.
‘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.
The event also featured enterprise pitches, investor engagement sessions and awards recognising young entrepreneurs whose innovations address social and economic challenges.
LEAP Africa and its partners presented more than N2.5 million in prize awards to outstanding social innovators and enterprises for their contributions to sustainable development.
Among the award recipients was Gbenro Tolulope Theresa of Corp Climate Literacy Programme, who received the Seyi Bickersteth Award for Financial Accountability.
Ibrahim Isah Liman of AgroChill Solutions won the Social Enterprise of the Year Award, while Bestman Lilian Amaka of Talent Spotlight Africa Foundation received the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Social Innovation in South-East Nigeria.
The awards also featured the Outstanding Innovator of the Year category, alongside live venture pitches by social entrepreneurs competing for the Most Outstanding Social Innovator of the Year award.
LEAP Africa said the 2026 edition reaffirmed its commitment to developing young leaders and entrepreneurs capable of driving sustainable economic and social transformation across the continent.