Anzisha Prize applications now open, organisers launch tour, talks across Africa

Applications for this year’s edition of the Anzisha Prize are now open. Organisers of the programme have also announced the launch of the Anzisha Prize Tour which will see Anzisha fellows host speaking engagements and events in five African countries.

Launched in 2011, The Anzisha Prize — an initiative of the African Leadership Academy in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation — seeks to encourage innovation among youth across the continent.

The programme is open to African social and for-profit entrepreneurs under the age of 22. In addition, applicants have to be committed to grow their enterprises into job-creating companies.

 The Anzisha Prize Tour, which will cover Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia, is set to kick off before 31 March

Applications for the programme will close at the end of this month.

Selected applicants win a share of US$100 000, access to a global network of leaders as well as business support.

The grand prize winner will take home US$25 000, while the runner-up will win US$15 000 with the second runner-up receiving US$ 12 500.

The Anzisha Tour

In a press release on Thursday, the African Leadership Academy also announced the launch of the Anzisha Prize Tour which is set to kick off before the end of the application deadline (31 March).

As part of the tour, Anzisha fellows will travel to Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia where they will hold talks and teach other young entrepreneurs.

“The Anzisha Prize has been running for more than five years and we are at a stage where we can showcase the success of very young entrepreneurs so they can serve as relatable and reachable examples to their peers,” said Anzisha Prize programmes manager Melissa Mbazo.

“A key goal for the Anzisha Prize is to celebrate the power of youth-led businesses in Africa to create jobs and viable livelihoods. Identifying and telling the stories of successful, relevant and young African entrepreneurs will inspire youth across the African continent,” added Mbazo.

The entrepreneurs taking part in the tour include 21-year old South African Maemu Lambani who started her own digital marketing agency. She will be joined by Ivorians Koffi N’guessan and Ibrahima Ben Aziz Konate as well as Senegalese Yaye Souadou Fall.

Mastercard Foundation programme manager Koffi Assouan believes the Anzisha Prize has “significantly invested in the transformative power of African youth”.

“It is exciting to see these young entrepreneurs ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in their peers as they share their compelling and inspirational stories about the impact their ventures has had on their families and communities,” said Assouan.

Interested in applying? You can do so here. Individuals and organisations looking to share stories of social impact during the tour are advised to contact the Anzisha Prize Team here.

Featured image: 2017 Anzisha Prize Top 15 finalists (Supplied)