3 things you need to know about the Rise of Youth Entrepreneurship in Africa

1. Did you know that Africa’s youth population is set to more than double by the year 2055? Yes, you read that correctly, double, in less than 40 years. Africa’s economy as a whole increased by 50% in contrast with a world average of 23 per cent. That’s why advancing youth entrepreneurship is a major priority for The Anzisha Prize.
2. Entrepreneurship is a key solution to unemployment, the most critical challenge facing young people in Africa, The role of young entrepreneurs as agents of positive change and creators of jobs in their communities and countries, particularly in Africa, must be recognised. There is a need to support these entrepreneurs and to increase the opportunities open to them.
3. There is a wave of promise and a burning fire, within the heats of Africa’s future leaders. Young people are blazing alight, in every corner of the African continent and it’s about time we shine the spotlight on Africa’s young entrepreneurs, on African solutions, for Africans, by young Africans all over the continent. The Anzisha Prize does just that! The Anzisha Prize seeks to award young entrepreneurs who have developed and implemented innovative solutions to social challenges or started successful businesses within their communities.

15 finalists from across Africa win a spot in a lifelong fellowship what will help to accelerate their path to entrepreneurship success. This year the final 15 are made up of:

• Ignatius Ahumuza, the founder of Art Planet Academy, an organisation dedicated to decreasing the levels of poverty in Uganda through agricultural schools and training facilities.

• Rebecca Andrianarisandy, the founder of GasGasy, A company that wants to solve the deforestation problem that is threatening the livelihood of people in Madagascar.

• Jessan Kumar Persand is the founder of Jessan Kumar Persand Crab Aquaculture, a mud crab farming business that utilises innovative and creative solutions to mud crab aquaculture in Mauritius to prevent cannibalism of the crabs.

• Maemu Thiofhi Lambani is the founder of Fearless Trendz, a digital marketing agency whose aim is to transform local growing businesses in South Africa into global brands.

• Ibrahima Ben Aziz Konate is the founder of Poultry d’Or, a company that produces and distributes fresh poultry products and agro-foods.

• Gerald Matolo is the founder of Angaza Africa Technologies, a company thatis revolutionising the use of safe and affordable sources of household and industrial energy through Briquettes.

• Fadwa Moussaif is the founder of Boucharouette Eco-Création is a company specialising in the manufacture and marketing of hand-woven and hand-knotted carpets in Morocco.

• Moonga Chowe is the founder of Chilimba Savings, a company that seeks to provide financial security and peace of mind to traditional credit and savings groups in Zambia. A much needed service in the challenging financial times, facing Zambia.

• Vicente Zau is the founder of The Vicente News Company. An online platform dedicated to promoting and putting Angolan music on the global map, with the objective of developing the growth and development of African music in foreign countries.

• Thowiba Alhaj is the founder of Work Jump-Up Sudan, an inspirational organisation that empowers University students by linking them to much needed job opportunities.

• Satta Wahab, is the CEO and Founder of Naz Naturals. Naz Naturals, a company thathas become paramount in Liberia’s natural hair movement, solidifying its spot as Liberia’s top provider of natural hair products.

• Ajiroghene Omanudhowo if the founder of 3 businesses under a parent company called 360 Needs. The first is of these is called ASAFOOD and it delivers Food to Universities. The second is ASADROP which is a logistics company specialising in parcel delivery. The third business is called Beta Grades which delivers computer training to students that helps them prepare for their exams.

• Victoria Olimatunde is the founder of Bizkids, a board game designed  to teach children about financial literacy, how to save money, money management and the rudimentary aspects of starting a small scale business in a fun and interactive gamified manner.

• Dina Mohamed Ibrahim is one of the 5 founders of Metro Co-working Space, a companywhich offers affordable working spaces for young entrepreneurs, along with coursework and training that enables entrepreneurs and young people to thrive.

• Edgar Edmund is the founder of GreenVenture, a company that recycles plastic waste into cheap and affordable building products such as paving blocks. The venture aims to help people to build houses but also helps to promote environmental sustainability.