The Sahara Group Foundation has officially launched its Making A Difference Around Africa (MADAA) initiative, designed to empower aspiring African entrepreneurs and help them realize their business aspirations.
During the unveiling of MADAA, Chidilim Menakaya, Head of Programs at Sahara Group Foundation, emphasized the initiative’s goal of creating sustainable economic opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
“MADAA is a strategic platform developed by Sahara Group Foundation to identify and support entrepreneurs and social innovators who are on the verge of greatness. It provides the essential resources needed to elevate their novel ideas and small businesses to new heights,” Menakaya stated.
She highlighted that the launch of MADAA reaffirms Sahara Group Foundation’s commitment to “building sustainable communities through Extrapreneurship.” This initiative is the first in a series of targeted social interventions aimed at fostering sustainable development in Africa by nurturing and scaling the potential of entrepreneurs with exceptional ideas capable of transforming the continent’s economic landscape.
Applications for MADAA are currently open and will remain so until the end of November 2024. Selected beneficiaries are expected to leverage this platform to take on leadership and influential roles within their respective business sectors.
“We are looking for extraordinary and unique individuals whose business ideas can be nurtured sustainably, particularly by utilizing locally available resources. Entrepreneurs eager to elevate their ventures should visit www.saharagroupfoundation.org to apply for MADAA today,” Menakaya encouraged.
“MADAA aims to support African home-grown innovations and businesses, helping them to succeed, scale, and thrive sustainably, thus creating an integrated ecosystem of collaborators dedicated to transforming economic development in Africa,” Menakaya concluded.
The shortlisting of candidates will commence in December, leading to the final selection of beneficiaries who will participate in the program starting in the first quarter of 2025. MADAA participants will gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources, including financial and investment support totaling $100 million, as well as mentorship from seasoned industry experts.
The launch of MADAA aligns with Sahara Group Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity and progressive partnerships that foster growth, business advisory, and capacity development in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector across Africa.