LEAP Africa has called for increased investment and stronger policy frameworks to accelerate the growth of youth-led enterprises across the continent. The organisation made the call at the 13th edition of its Social Innovators Programme and Awards, held in Lagos and attended by over 200 young social entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and business leaders. The event was themed 'Africa as the Sector: Maximising Youth Agency for a Prosperous Africa, Leveraging Technology, Finance and Policy' and focused on addressing the structural barriers preventing innovative enterprises from expanding and connecting young entrepreneurs with investment, partnerships and market opportunities.
LEAP Africa highlighted the scale of the opportunity, noting that Africa's youth population is projected to exceed 830 million by 2050. The organisation stressed that young people need an enabling environment to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs and long-term economic value. According to Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director of LEAP Africa, conversations about African youth have traditionally emphasised their potential rather than the economic value they already generate. 'Across the continent, young entrepreneurs are building businesses that address real market and development challenges. Yet, access to finance, markets and enabling policies continues to determine how far these solutions can go,' she said.
Speakers at the event emphasised that supporting youth enterprises requires more than seed funding. Rosy Fynn, Country Director for Nigeria at Mastercard Foundation, stressed that financing must be tailored to the realities of the people it serves rather than following a uniform approach. 'The right policy environment can make it possible for the business to thrive. We need to collaborate and find synergies rather than work on silos,' she said. Clare Omatseye, Founder and Managing Director of JNC International and LEAP Africa Board Chair, highlighted the need for stronger institutional structures, sustainable financing models and policies enabling businesses to compete and expand. 'The future of Africa's economy will depend significantly on our ability to build an environment where young people can create value, generate employment and grow sustainable businesses. This requires more than funding individual ideas. It demands stronger institutions, intentional partnerships and policies that make innovation commercially viable and socially impactful,' she said.
Ayeni called on investors, policymakers and business leaders to view youth-led enterprises not simply as beneficiaries of development support but as businesses capable of driving Africa's economic growth. The event brought together stakeholders to explore how technology, finance and policy can work together to unlock opportunities for young entrepreneurs across the continent.