APPLY: Sahara Group launches youth initiative to drive home-grown innovation in Africa

Sahara Group has launched the making a difference around Africa (MADAA) programme, an enterprise development initiative, for young innovators.

Speaking on Friday, during the official launch in Lagos, Kola Adeshina, the group managing director (GMD), said the MADAA targets extraordinary innovators utilising local resources to create a sustainable environment.

The event had stakeholders from corporate businesses and entrepreneurs as panellists to discuss how youths can leverage the initiative to drive sustainable economic growth.

Adeshina said the initiative is aimed at fostering sustainable business ventures and encouraging African youths to view entrepreneurship as a primary career.

He added that MADAA seeks to create a pipeline of passionate entrepreneurs ready to tackle everyday challenges and help homegrown innovations reach the global market.

“We have ventured into entrepreneurship, and we have seen the value and benefits therein, but realize sing that capital formation, poverty elimination, innovation and creativity, good living standard can only come from extra,” Adeshina said.

“We are in a lot of economic headwinds, but inherent in this lies a lot of opportunities and responsibilities.

“At Sahara, we have made a conscious and deliberate decision to make a difference in an extra way, beyond what is possible.

“To us, there is nothing called impossible, and we would have the privilege of seeing many things come out of our stable.”

Also speaking, Emeka Uwaomaegbu, chairman of the board of trustees, said the initiative will offer business advisory to scalable innovative solutions for African youths.

“No matter how much you think an idea you have may not fly, just approach us at MADAA and we would see how we can work with you, and who knows, you might be the next great innovator,” Uwaomaegbu said.

The programme, billed to commence in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 will have successful candidates undergo six months of training after a shortlisting in December.

Interested candidates can apply at www.saharagroupfoundation.org.