The search is on to find 12 of Africa’s youngest, most innovative social and business entrepreneurs under the age of 22. Organisers are calling for more nominations from the public this year to ensure they discover the very best talent on the continent.
African Leadership Academy (ALA) and the MasterCard Foundation, co-hosts of the Anzisha Prize, announced a significant increase in the support available to selected entrepreneurs over the next five years. Each of the 12 finalists will now receive a $7,500 fellowship package with the ALA’s Youth Entrepreneur Support Unit (YES-U), which includes the Anzisha Week boot camp, mentorship and consulting services, travel opportunities to network and business equipment.
In addition, a new $25,000 prize category has been created to recognize Anzisha Fellows who have created further social and economic value through their ventures by effectively leveraging the opportunities provided by the fellowship with ALA.
This brings the total prize pool to $100,000 annually, with the grand prizewinner taking home $25,000, 1st runner-up receiving $15,000 and 2nd runner-up receiving $12,500. The remaining nine finalists will receive $2,500 each.
“It is essential that we nurture young, African entrepreneurial talent if we want to see the economic gains we all hope for in the future,” says Koffi Assouan, programme manager for the Anzisha Prize at the MasterCard Foundation. “Through the provision of leadership skills, access to finance and business networking opportunities, these young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to reach their full potential and to improve their lives and the lives of others.”
The prize is open to any African national under the age of 22 with an active project, social venture or for-profit business based on the continent. Judging criteria for the prize have been refined for 2016 to represent the entrepreneurial talent that the Anzisha Prize wants to uncover and support. These criteria can be found in all application materials.
“The true impact of our work is only possible if we can find the top entrepreneurial potential wherever it may be,” comments Grace Kalisha, manager of the Anzisha programme at African Leadership Academy, “If anyone out there has seen or heard of young people running amazing projects or businesses, we want to hear from you.”
For more information, go to www.anzishaprize.org.
