Africa is rapidly cementing its status as a worldwide centre for groundbreaking ideas and solutions. This powerful message was delivered by the leadership of LEAP Africa, a prominent non-governmental organisation, during its 12th annual Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA).
From Emerging Market to Creative Powerhouse
The event, held in Lagos on Wednesday, 4th December 2025, convened under the theme “Africa as The Sector: Maximising Possibilities through Technology, Finance and Policy.” In a statement following the programme, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Ms Kehinde Ayeni, emphasised the organisation's steadfast commitment to supporting youth-led change. She highlighted how young Africans are actively redefining approaches to problem-solving across the continent.
“This event brought together innovators, policymakers, financiers and development partners committed to advancing the continent’s innovation ecosystem,” Ayeni stated. She further noted that the gathering signals a major shift: Africa is moving beyond the 'emerging market' label to become a vibrant sector brimming with creativity, investment, and transformative ideas, all powered by its technologically-savvy youth.
Collaboration as the Key to Global Leadership
Echoing this sentiment, the Board Chair of LEAP Africa, Mrs Claire Omatseye, who also serves as Managing Director of JNC International, identified collaboration as the critical engine for innovation. She proclaimed that Africa's moment to spearhead global transformation has arrived.
“For more than a decade, SIPA has strengthened Africa’s innovation pipeline by supporting young changemakers and showcasing scalable solutions,” Omatseye said. “The 2025 edition reaffirms Africa’s role not just as a participant in global innovation but as a key driver shaping the world’s future.”
Panels, Labs, and Celebrating Winners
The programme featured a dynamic mix of panel discussions, specialised solution labs, speed talks, and award ceremonies. Speakers included senior figures from venture philanthropy, entrepreneurship, climate action, policy, and development sectors from across Africa. They collectively stressed the necessity of targeted investment, aligned policies, and robust innovation infrastructure to sustain the continent's growth trajectory.
Participants engaged deeply in solution labs such as the NYFF Hackathon, a UNDP-led session on creative expressions for inclusive development, and a roundtable for enterprise support organisations focusing on policy, technology, and finance.
Key panel sessions tackled crucial topics. The first, titled “From Village to Virtual,” explored strategies for bridging Africa's digital divide through intelligent policy and investment. A second session, “Seeds & Servers,” argued that Africa's long-term prosperity depends on successfully fusing innovation, investment, and courageous reforms.
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of the prestigious SIPA Awards. Abdulateef Olaosebikan of Nafarm Foods clinched the Social Impact Award, while Samuel Folorunsho of Legis 360 was honoured as the Outstanding Innovator. These two winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 70 nominees.
With a mission focused on youth leadership development across education, entrepreneurship, employability, citizenship, and wellbeing, LEAP Africa has impacted over one million beneficiaries in 26 Nigerian states and 48 African countries, continually promoting ethical and innovative leadership among young people.
