Ndidi Nwuneli: Reaching millions ‘with impact’

The Australian high commission in Abuja recently played host to social entrepreneurs, private sector players and the development community – with Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli’s new book, Reaching Millions with Impact, setting the tone for discussion.

The title of the book was the theme of the event.

Nwuneli, founder of LEAP Africa and co-founder of AACE Foods Processing & Distribution Ltd. and Sahel Capital, shared insights from the book, underscoring the urgent need to scale high-impact interventions in Nigeria “given the growing population and the critical food, housing, education, healthcare, sanitation, transportation and power gaps in the country”.

Using case studies and data from her research on high-impact initiatives in Africa, she highlighted the importance of “clear missions, visions, business models and the selection of appropriate pathways for scaling”.

She also provided practical tools for attracting and retaining talent, financing and instituting partnerships for scaling.

Amina Mohammed, minister of environment and keynote speaker at the forum, gave her thoughts on scaling social impact in the public sector.

She spoke about her personal experiences shaping policy, launching and scaling initiatives through her roles in promoting Education for All, the MDGs and most recently her portfolio as the minister for the environment.

Mohammed underscored the importance of collaborations, compromise and shared visions while attempting to scale impact.

Social entrepreneurs who want to scale must partner with the public sector, given its size and reach in Nigeria, she said.

Paul Lehmann, the Australian high commissioner to Nigeria, who played the role of a perfect host, spoke at the forum alongside Christopher Thornley, Canadian high commissioner to Nigeria, Owens Wiwa, country director, Clinton Global Health Access, and Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, executive director of Girl Hub Nigeria.