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2022 cohort for the Anzisha Prize revealed

The Anzisha Prize programme, which is an initiative for young people between the ages of 15 and 22, has announced the next cohort of 30 leading young entrepreneurs that will join its three-year Venture Building Program.
Member of the cohort | image supplied
Member of the cohort | image supplied

Launched in 2011, the Anzisha Prize is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa Leadership Academy and the only venture programme of its kind in Africa.

Its next cohort of entrepreneurs comprises an exciting mix of changemakers in the agriculture, health, education, and fashion industries. The 30 entrepreneurs join the ranks of 172 young African entrepreneurs who have benefited from the fellowship since its inception in 2011.

Businesses and entrepreneurs that show exemplary growth and initiative receive benefits and services such as short courses, cloud services, and cash stipends valued at $140,000 over the course of three years.

The 30 business owners were selected from across the continent following rounds of rigorous evaluation. The entrepreneurs who applied were assessed on their leadership potential, as well as the scalability and job-creation potential of their business models.

The entrepreneurs represent 11 sectors such as health and education with agriculture and consumer products having the highest representation. Additionally, 17 African countries and all five regions within the continent have a representative in the top 30, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Mali, and more.

The newly formatted three-year fellowship will recognise growth and impact over some time and the fellows will have access to business training, mentoring, and learning initiatives, as well as access to key networks and the vibrant network of Anzisha alumni fellows.

At the end of the second year, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to win one of four grand prizes and will have their business growth evaluated by a panel of external judges in the following categories: Job Creation, Revenue Growth, Integrating Systems, and Storytelling. Each winner will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize.

The 2022 Anzisha Prize Fellows are:

Abubakar Sadick Fuseini, 22, Ghana

Abubakar Fuseini is the founder of Quick Step Delivery, a logistics and delivery company based in Ghana.

Aminata Becanty Coulibaly, 22, Côte d’Ivoire

Aminata is the founder L’Africaine, a company that produces hair and skin products for the modern Ivoiran woman.

Athingahangwi Ramabulana, 22, South Africa

Athingahangwi Ramabulana is the founder of Athinga’s Corner, a restaurant and catering company that provides nutritious and healthy meals to university students.

Baké Faouziyatou Bani, 21, Benin

Bake Bani is the founder of El Gusto, a business that is involved in the production of naturally sourced foods.

Delali Magnon, 21, Togo

Delali Magnon is the founder of Ladies Delight, an online business that sells taro, sweet potato, and potato chips.

Gustave Chabilakoun, 22, Benin

Gustave Chabilakoun is the founder of Bio Production, a company that produces and commercializes organic green chilli, using the aqueous extract of neem as a biopesticide.

Joseph Ssempebwa, 22, Uganda

Joseph Ssempebwa is the founder of Scaling Pathways, a company that aims to increase agricultural activity by introducing a Pay-for-Use for the farming community in Uganda.

Lynnet Muritu, 21, Kenya

Lynnet Muritu is the founder of Mimjpambo, a jewellery company that uses recycled materials to create genderless pieces for everyday wear.

Mathias Charles Yabe, 22, Ghana

Mathias Yabe is the founder of Ako Fresh, an initiative offering a green preservation solution to smallholder farmers and traders to help reduce the menace of post-harvest losses.

Noreen Mutavhatsindi, 22, South Africa

Noreen Mutavhatsindi is the founder of Phindulo Tutoring, a tutoring company with the mission to improve the grades of all learners.

Oumar Mamoudou Sylla, 22, Mali

Oumar Mamoudou is the founder of Sylla bio et Divers, a social enterprise that assists rural communities in Mali to develop a sustainable economy through agricultural training.

Salimata Traoure, 22, Mali

Salimata Traoure is the founder Sa’Hello, a company that manufactures and sells cashew nuts-based products such as juice and syrup in Mali.

Sharon Yayra Alornyeku, 22, Ghana

Sharon Alornyeku is the founder of PengStreet, a fashion house that sells clothes to meet the fashion needs of university students.

Upendo Ngussa, 22, Tanzania

Upendo Nguusa is the founder of Mkaa Safi, a company that deals in the production of renewable energy from agricultural wastes.

Mahmoud Ali Soltan, 22, Egypt

Mahmoud Soltan is the founder of Shabab Talented, a youth initiative that brings together youths who have scientific and practical qualifications with community participation and experiences in volunteer life.

Amina Nakiboneka, 22, Uganda

Amina Nakiboneka is the founder of Mon Amie Cakes, a catering company that creates and sells baked goods.

Bassim-swé Bamassi, 22, Togo

Bassim Bamassi is the founder of H-express courier, a company that transports meals, packages, and goods to households.

Bismwa Gulain, 21, Democratic Republic of Congo

Bismwa Gulain is the founder of Bing, a processing business that turns raw produce into bread, porridge, and biscuits, which are then sold to customers.

Angela Razafindravonona, 21, Madagascar

Angela Razafindravonona is the founder of Ascent, a women’s clothing business that creates statement pieces for the modern Malagasy woman.

Collins Kathuli, 20, Kenya

Collina Kathuli is the founder of Kyanda, a fintech business with a 360-degree digital financial service through its infrastructure that serves both individuals and businesses.

Gaoagwe Jeje, 22, South Africa

Gaoagwe Jeje is the founder of Kgosi Poultry, a farming business that deals with the production of chickens for meat consumption.

Jessica Gybere, 22, Burkina Faso

Jessica Gybere is the founder of Africa Energy and Service, a company that provides electrical, solar systems, and photovoltaic lighting installations.

Mariana Mahitiko, 22, Democratic Republic of Congo

Mariana Mahitiko is the founder of Top Confection, a company that sells women's and men's clothing made from bespoke African materials.

Vanessa Ngwi, 21, Cameroon

Vanessa Ngwi is the co-founder of Papylon, a clothing line devoted to producing high-quality designs for customers of all ages.

Willine Ikerezi, 22, Rwanda

Willine Ikerezi is the founder of DotPharma, an e-pharmacy platform that allows patients or caregivers to order medicines and other personal care products (cosmetics, food supplements, etc.) and have them delivered to their homes.

N’zinga Antonio, 22, Angola

N’zinga Antonio is the founder of Gailza, a bakery that specialises in selling cakes and pastry products. The venture also provides training to customers in pastry-making and baking.

Sheila Chivura, 20, Mozambique

Sheila Chivura is the founder of Quitutes, a home-based online restaurant/food service that ensures the customer's comfort in ordering delicious meals.

Ivo Bonfirm, 19, Angola

Ivo Bonfirm is the CEO of Optica Ipris, a vision centre in Angola. They manufacture lenses and frames for glasses.

Abdulwhab Mohamed, 22, Egypt

Abdulwhab Mohamed is the founder of Alfarysy, a water tank cleaning service based in North Egypt. They service residential homes by draining, cleaning, and facilitating the refill of the tanks.

Mohamed Mahmoud, 22, Egypt

Mohamed Mahmoud is the founder of Mahweeb, an app that connects talented soccer players with sports clubs and talent scouts.

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